The home ministry on Thursday asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the Burdwan blasts case even though the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has so far been opposed to such a move. The central probe, the has learnt, was okayed after it was apparent that the state government would not come in the way of the NIA investigation.

Senior minister in the Mamata government Partha Chatterjee told TOI late on Thursday that they have not formally consented to an NIA probe as "we have full confidence in our state police and investigating agencies". However, he was silent when asked if this would entail non-cooperation with NIA by the state police.

According to Trinamool Congress sources, while the state government was not inviting NIA to take up the case, it would not obstruct the investigation by the NIA team, now that the Centre has taken the call.

Although the NIA Act provides for central government to hand over any case related to terrorism or scheduled offences in any state suo motu to NIA, the power has never been exercised for political reasons. States have always protested that such a move militates against the federal structure of the country.

Sources said formal orders to take over the case were given to NIA around 7 pm on Thursday. NIA is likely to file an FIR on Friday after taking over case papers from West Bengal Police.




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