Update people on fugitive issue: BJP to R R Patil

In the backdrop of the revelation that Wazhul Kamar Khan, whose name figures in the '50 most wanted' fugitives' list submitted to Pakistan, has been staying in neighbouring Thane district, the Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday said that Home Minister R R Patil should clear air on the issue.

BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said such a revelation has put a huge question mark on the credibility of Mumbai police in general, and that of Maharashtra government in particular.

"There seems to be an appalling loophole in the much-hyped list of the '50 most wanted fugitives' believed to be hiding in Pakistan," he said. Khan, who was arrested last year for his alleged role in the 2003 Mulund train blasts, has been living in Thane's Waghle Estate with his mother, wife and children, after he was let out on bail, sources said.

Khan was also involved in the 2003 Vile-Parle and Ghatkopar blasts besides the 2002 Mumbai Central blasts, they said. Bhandari said it was a well-known fact that the Union Home Ministry finalises such lists only after receiving relevant information from the state government.

It was Maharashtra government, which must have provided the information on Khan to the Centre.

"This information, or the lack of it, has raised some serious issues. Did the Centre not evaluate or update the information they had. How could the state and Centre be unaware of a person who has been arrested by police and appearing in the courts of India," he asked.

If at all it is a case of two persons with identical names or a case of mistaken identities then the government has to clear the air regarding it. R R Patil should ascertain that this incident does not protect any body's vested interests, he said.

"Patil has to come to the fore and update people on the reality of the matter, otherwise, the image of state police force will remain tarnished, Bhandari said.