Mumbai terror plot may have been foiled with the arrest of Abdul Latif and Royas Ali, the two accused of planning to plant bombs in the city, but the Maharashtra ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) chief could be in trouble for revelation of excessive information to the media about the investigation.

 

While talking to the media, ATS Chief K.P. Raghuvanshi had revealed that the two arrested were Abdul Latif and Royas Ali and that the two were planning to blow up installations of the government owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Thakkar Mall and a cloth market called the Mangaldas Market. But the revelation that put him into trouble was that about their uncle Abdul Bashir Khan who he said was in Karachi and in touch with the two and guiding them.

 

Raghuvanshi's statement in the media that the two men were in touch with their ‘chacha’ who is supposed to be Latif’s uncle has raised eyebrows. Latif’s Uncle Abdul Bashir Khan is wanted in the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts and has been absconding ever since. Raghuvanshi’s statement in the media about Bashir has alerted him according to Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan. Bashir who is in Karachi would have found safe haven after the media statement about him, according to Chavan.

 

Chavan said, "I will examine the entire issue and then ask the state Home Minister to take necessary steps in the matter". He said that the Centre is not happy with the investigation being hampered due to careless statements in the media. He said that statements should not be given out in the media without concluding investigations. He said, "I am not going to comment anything at the moment. On this issue, I just want to say that till the time the issue of investigation does not get concluded, it can be harmful if revealed." He also called the ATS chief “publicity hungry”.