ATS to seek Jundal's custody

Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad would seek the custody of 26/11 Mumbai attacks handler Abu Jundal after Delhi police finish their probe, State Home Minister R R Patil said on Thursday.

Claiming that prisons in Maharashtra are safe, Patil dismissed reports that Delhi Police objected to the security arrangements for Jundal.

"I have not come across any reports that they (Delhi Police) have raised objection, saying prisons are not secure in Maharashtra," he said.

If any particular agency arrests a person they first conduct a probe, he said. After they finish the probe, we will file an application to seek his custody, Patil said.

"Just because of the Pune incident, it is wrong to say that prisons in Maharashtra are unsafe," Patil said, referring to the killing of suspected Indian Mujahideen operative Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, in Pune's Yerwada Central Jail earlier this month.

"A terrorist like Kasab is also safe in our jail," he told reporters after a high-level meeting.

Commenting on the terror angle emanating from Marathawada region, Patil said the perception that Marathwada is the beehive of terror acts is wrong.

"It is wrong to link the entire region with terror- related activities," he said.