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Crime Branch officials disclosed that key Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspects took anaesthetic drugs to nullify the effect of narco tests, in case they were arrested. This effectively puts a question mark on all 'revelations' made during narco tests so far. IM members were reportedly using Catamine, Propofol, Pentothal and Fortwin regularly to cheat narco tests in case they were caught.
The theory came to light after Crime Branch officials arrested Mohammed Choudhary alias Sayed alias Yakub and Mohd Asghar Peerbhoy following their alleged involvement in serial blasts.
ISI may have passed on the drug idea
They found large quantities of Catamine, which is available in tablet form, and Propofol from their homes. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told MiD DAY, "We are questioning the other suspects about the drug usage and its effect on narco tests." The police suspect that Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence operatives may have passed on the idea to consume these drugs to IM mastermind Riyaz Bhatkal.
Maria pointed out that the drugs were earlier used by the underworld to question people, whom they suspected to be police informers. Police investigations have indicated that now, terrorists are using the same drugs to condition their thought process.
Regular use of the drugs made them immune to narco tests.
Investigators have now begun to suspect the results of narco tests on SIMI, LeT and HUJI operatives nabbed in the past few years. It is not surprising that narco tests on SIMI chief Sadaf Nagori and his brother Kamruddin revealed very little about the organisation's future plans.
Dr Keki Turel, head of neurosurgery, Bombay Hospital, told MiD DAY that Catamine and Propofol is used to anaesthise patients before operations. Turel added that a lighter form of Pentothal, Amytal is administered to suspects during narco tests. "These drugs are available with chemists and are issued on doctor's prescription," added Turel.
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