NIA starts probe into pipe bomb case

Even as the territorial administration has agreed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) proposal to transfer the pipe bomb case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a three-member team of NIA landed in Puducherry on Friday and began investigation into the case.

Led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the team visited the scene of crime in front of the house of Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office V. Narayanasamy in Ellaiamman Street. They also inspected the car, under which a powerful pipe bomb filled with detonators was found. The team then went inside the Minister’s house, which is also his camp office and conducted preliminary enquiry with the office staff members. They spent about 30 minutes in the Minister’s camp office.

Later, the NIA team visited Uppalam ground, where the bomb was exploded safely by the police.

Confirming the arrival of NIA team, The Director General of Police, P. Kamaraj told

The Hindu that the services of NIA had been roped into probe the case considering its importance. It was their preliminary visit. Meanwhile, the Puducherry government has agreed to transfer the pipe bomb case to the National Investigation Agency.

Asked about the need for NIA investigation, a senior police officer said that the preliminary inputs had revealed that it could be a handiwork of extremists. It was a threat related matter.

Asked whether the Puducherry police received specific alert, he said they didn’t receive any alert.