Congress: Govt has turned probe agencies into pliable units

NEW DELHI: Congress steered clear of the bail to Malegaon serial blast accused Lt Col Shrikant Purohit by calling it part of the judicial process but accused the Centre of turning investigating agencies into pliable units by promoting ad hocism in their leadership.“Bail is a discretionary power available with courts under CrPC and is not an adjudication of innocence or guilt,” AICC spokesman Manish Tewari said.This was a disapproval of the remark made by senior party neta Digvijaya Singh who said, “Purohit gets bail. It was expected as the present BJP government is protecting all the accused connected with RSS in all bomb blast cases.”Congress targeted the government for two extensions granted to NIA chief Sharad Kumar. Saying that the Modi regime was “keeping officers on a short leash” to influence investigations, the party argued that cases where perpetrators were identified with the Hindutva camp were being weakened.Singh said, “NIA chief has been given two extensions to ensure their acquittal. He may now be rewarded for a suitable post-retirement position.”Tewari told reporters, “It is surprising the government has not been able to find a single officer to head the NIA... repeated extensions have been frowned upon by the Supreme Court.”