Batla House suspect names UP politician

Shahzad Ahmad, the Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative being investigated for his role in the Batla House encounter, has claimed that a former MLA from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, sheltered him after the shootout. 

Police are trying to ascertain the veracity of his claim.

“The man named by Shahzad was an MLA in Azamgarh many years ago. We are investigating this as it could be a political conspiracy,” a police officer said.

Ahmad also said that when firing began at Batla House, he and another terrorist, Junaid, ran down the stairs and made their way through the chaos.

Shahzad and Junaid then took an autorickshaw to Shaheen Bagh, where they were sheltered by the former legislator.

“We are going to all the places where Shahzad took shelter,” the officer said.

Police are also trying to find out whether other politicians named by Ahmad  tried to save him. “There are more names, but these are speculative,” the officer said.

Police believe Junaid, the other alleged terrorist who escaped from Batla House, may be hiding in UP.

Delhi Police’s special cell has been grilling Ahmad for details of his role in the September 13, 2008 blasts that rocked the capital.