'NIA to probe gravest terror-related cases'

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), set up in the aftermath of Mumbai attack, will only probe some of the gravest incidents of terror crimes, informed the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Parliament on Tuesday.

"Only gravest cases of crimes will be taken up for investigation by the NIA, which will operate in a concurrent jurisdictional framework," he said.

A team has been formed to investigate such cases and the recruitment process for the others is on. “Orders have been issued for appointment of one DIG, two superintendents of police, two deputy superintendents of police and two inspectors," the minister added.

He, however, refused to take up investigation in the Mumbai attacks case saying that “NIA will take up cases referred by the states. It would not take up investigation in the attacks case probe as the probe was 'almost complete' and the Mumbai Police is 'poised to file a chargesheet' in the matter."

In the lately announced interim budget, the specialised agency has been allocated Rs 10 crore for 2009-10. In the wake of November 26 Mumbai attacks, government on December 16 tabled the National Investigation Agency Bill and was passed promptly.

The central agency comes under administrative control of the Home Ministry which empowers the Centre to probe terror attacks in any part of the country covering offences such as challenge to the country's sovereignty and integrity, bomb blasts, hijack of aircraft and ships, and attacks on nuclear installations.