Retrieval of electronic data by the National Investigation Agency sleuths probing terror-funding cases against Jammu and Kashmir separatist leaders threw up the name of a notable cardiologist who was then sent summons for questioning.
The questioning of Dr Upendra Kaul by the NIA, however, kicked up a storm given the timing of the agency's move, which comes at a time when the Central government's decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has generated much heat.
But the anti-terror agency has dug in its heels, saying Kaul was questioned as a ''witness'' and there was no ulterior motive to it. Sources in the NIA said that Kaul was not just questioned on any one point related to his exchanges with Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik, but several points were discussed relating to his communication with Malik.
“Kaul was called as a witness and his questioning took place on several points, which came up during the investigation of the case against Malik. Whatever relevant information was required from professor Kaul was sought by the NIA and he answered all the queries,” said an official.
For now, the NIA is satisfied with the replies from Kaul. However, it is too early for the agency to comment on whether any of its witnesses in the case may be needed again to shed further light on the matter.
The NIA sleuths probing the terror-funding cases have questioned several witnesses, but Kaul's matter drew attention as he is a noted cardiologist and a recipient of the Padma Shri. Which is why when the Kaul issue got leaked to the media, the NIA was taken aback at the attention the case had got.
This prompted some senior officers to ask the investigating officer of the case to apprise them of the matter. The senior NIA officials are learnt to be satisfied with the way the probe is being conducted by the agency sleuths. Officials aware of the ongoing probe said that for each case being probed by the agency where electronic data is retrieved, there are several names that come up. During investigation, any person needed to shed light on the points being investigated by the agency is then summoned for questioning.
In a similar manner, when suspected hawala transactions were being probed, the mention of 'INR 2.78' in the electronic evidence—which included telephone records—could not be deciphered by the sleuths when they went through the data of exchanges between Kaul and Malik. While Dr Kaul has explained that INR stands for International Normalised Ratio, a common term in a blood check-up, there are several other clarifications that were also sought related to Malik's interaction with him, which he has explained to the agency sleuths.
The NIA will continue its probe into the case and sources said the investigating officers will now correlate all the evidence gathered as well as the statements of all its witnesses as it proceeds further in the case.
