Police puzzled about origin of radioactive substance in Delhi

Police are still groping in the dark about the origin of radio-active substance which landed in a west Delhi scrap market, leading to at least six persons falling critically ill and undergoing treatment in hospitals.

A senior police official said they had "no clue" about the origin of the material that landed in Mayapuri industrial area where scrap shops are located.

Sources said the material seems to have landed in the shop about a month ago.

They said investigators need to talk to Deepak Jain, who is critical after exposure to radiation, to find out from where he bought the scrap.

Experts had identified the material in the scrap dealer's shop as radioactive isotope Cobalt-60.

Police today spoke to scrap dealers in the industrial area to ascertain the source of the material.

"We also spoke to family members of Jain but they are also unaware about the source of his scrap. We are waiting for Jain to regain his health so that he can reveal from where he bought it," the official said.

A statement issued by Apollo said that Jain's condition remained critical.

AIIMS doctors said the condition of Rajender, an employee of Jain, was "very critical".    

There were also reports about seven more persons being exposed to radiation and admitted to hospitals but police did not confirm it.