A Delhi court on Monday allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to put alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohammad Naved through the lie detector test.
Villagers in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir had caught the terrorist earlier this month after he and his accomplice had attacked a BSF convoy in which two jawans were killed and eight injured. The other terrorist was killed in the counter-attack by the BSF.
The court conducted the proceedings in camera and allowed the NIA’s plea for the polygraph test after getting the consent of the accused.
“I allow the present application permitting the NIA to take the accused to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, on August 18 at 11 a.m. for conducting polygraph test,” District Judge Amar Nath said.
According to agency sources, Naved’s polygraph test was necessary as he has been changing his statement on crucial facts. “We have to ascertain which route he took to sneak in, who all accompanied him and where he stayed. Some suspects who extended logistical support to him are also to be identified,” said an official.
The NIA will also obtain Naved’s voice and DNA samples, which may be handed over to Pakistan for corroboration. During interrogation, Naved has purportedly disclosed that at the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror camp where he underwent training, he was administered psychotropic substances by his handler. He was directed to carry out five-six terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Naved’s handler had promised him that his family’s financial needs would be taken care of and on his return, he would be rehabilitated. He purportedly told the interrogators that the terror outfit had also threatened his family with dire consequences if they reported the matter to anyone.
(With additional reporting from National Bureau)
