Terror suspect never visited Odisha secretariat: Police

Though the BJP is seeking a judicial probe into the links of an arrested Al Qaeda terror suspect, including with BJD leaders, Odisha Police on Friday denied the suspect visited the state secretariat this October.

Police Commissioner R.P. Sharma said terror suspect Abdul Rehman never visited the state secretariat.

"A person named A Rehman had visited the secretariat on October 7 at 11.15 p.m. But he is not Abdul Rehman of Paschimma Kachha village in Cuttack. A Rehman works with chief district medical officer, Cuttack as a peon," Sharma told media persons here.

Sharma also said that during interrogation, Rehman, currently on a 12-day remand with Delhi Police, said he never visited the state secretariat.

"The special cell of Delhi Police informed us that Rehman revealed during interrogation that he never visited Odisha secretariat," Sharma said.

Citing media reports, the opposition Congress and the BJP on Thursday alleged that Rehman had visited the state secretariat and he had alleged links with the ruling Biju Janata Dal leaders including with some ministers.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday demanded a judicial probe by a judge of the Odisha High Court.

Senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan said a judicial probe into the whole issue was needed.

He also held the state intelligence wing responsible for its utter failure in garnering inputs about Rehman and his terror links.

Another senior BJP leader Bijay Mahapatra also castigated the state intelligence wing over the Rehman issue.