Israeli diplomat attack: Kazmi accuses oil lobby

Journalist Syed Mohammad Kazmi today sought to dissociate from his role in the Israeli diplomat attack case by claiming in a Delhi court "the international petroleum lobby and some rogue elements in the government had carried out the attack to spoil the relations between India and Iran."
Kazmi, who is the lone accused in the case, said he has been implicated in it and alleged the Special Cell of Delhi Police which has been investigating the case, was also acting against the country's interests.
"India and Iran have had good relations for years. India used to take oil from Iran at cheaper rates. The petroleum lobby does not want this. Due to this, this lobby, along with certain rogue elements in the government here and also the Special Cell of Delhi Police, are acting against India's interests," he told Additional Sessions Judge Atul Kumar Garg.

In his arguments on framing of charge, Kazmi's counsel Mehmood Pracha said "this I am saying with full sense of responsibility...The Special Cell, the international crime syndicate and the petroleum syndicate is acting against the interest of India.
"The February 13, 2012 bomb attack on the Israeli diplomat's car was carried out by them and not me," he said.
Showing various news reports and photographs published in newspapers after the incident, Pracha said "a foreigner with a bag can be seen at the scene of crime within the cordoned-off area. Who is he and how is he allowed there? According to me, he is somebody from Israel's intelligence agency Mossad. After he surfaces, police find magnetic device etc but all that the police would say is that Kazmi conspired with Iranians."

He added the blast had actually taken place in another aerosol cylinder inside the car.