NIA not to interfere in dhow capture case

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday submitted before the Kerala High Court that without any notification from the Central Government it cannot probe into the Iranian dhow capture case. NIA made the submission on a petition challenging the detention of the crew members at Poojappura central jail. INS Rajput apprehended the crew of the dhow, Al JAWID, consisting of 17 Pakistanis and four Iranians near Bitra Island in Lakshadweep. “The offenses against the crew will not come under the purview of the scheduled offences of NIA Act. There are no such offences in the FIR registered by the police. The government has not issued any notification in connection with the incident so far. For initiating an NIA probe a central notification is needed. However the assistance of the investigation agency can be availed if the Lakshadweep administration comes forward with a request,” NIA submitted.Justice N K Balakrishnan disposed the case and directed the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate court to complete the trial of the case as early as  possible.