Jundal never stayed in MLA hostel: R R Patil

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil on Friday said in the legislative assembly that records did not show that terror suspect Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, arrested last month in Delhi, had stayed in the MLA hostel rooms of state Minister Fauzia Khan in 2006.

Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse (BJP) had demanded Khan's resignation, referring to allegations that Jundal had once stayed in rooms allotted to her at the Hostel.

Jundal, allegedly involved in Mumbai terror attack conspiracy, hails from Beed in Maharashtra.

Replying to debate on law and order in the state, Patil also said that instead of praising investigation agencies for nabbing Jundal, opposition was making allegations.

"We have no records to show that he had stayed in the MLA Hostel (in Mumbai)," Patil said, and asked if all the MLAs could always guarantee that they knew the antecedents of everyone staying in the hostel rooms (where party workers also stay).

The hostel was virtually a "dharm-shala" (caravansary), Patil said. The Home Minister also rejected the contention that Jundal, presently in the custody of Delhi police, was not being handed over to the state police because of safety concerns.

Khadse had said that Delhi police were not sure whether he would be safe in Maharashtra prisons.

Referring to murder of terror suspect Quateel Siddique in Yerawada prison of Pune last month, Patil said Additional Director General Prakash Pawar was suspended for negligence, and the action had not been taken under the pressure of Union government.

Conviction rate in the state had gone down, he admitted, and announced constitution of a committee of police officials and prosecution lawyers, to be headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), in this regard.