Two ex-BTMC secretaries, private firm under NIA scanner

Patna,(BiharTimes): After the July 7 blasts two former secretaries of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) as well as Cobra Sentinel Private Limited, the private agency looking after it, and the Bihar Police personnel manning the outer periphery of the sanctum sanctorum, have reportedly come under the scanner of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Media reports suggest that both the former secretaries had controversial tenure and were unceremoniously removed following allegations of misconduct.

While the first was allegedly involved in illegal felling of branches of the holy peepal tree under which Buddha attained enlightment and their subsequent sale at a very high prices the other former secretary opened the shrine during prohibited hours for a group of foreigners.

Reports also said that a magisterial inquiry ordered by the then district magistrate, Rajiv Gauba, found the allegations against the then secretary to be true. He was thus removed.

NIA officials quoted in the media feel that though the blasts did not cause much harm, they were the result of better planning and co-ordination. This could not be possible without the local support. So surveillance are being kept on the flower, sweet, garland and rosary sellers.

As the opposition parties tried to corner the state government after the release of Gunjan Patel (a JDU office-bearer) and three others––they were detained after the blasts––another twist is being given to the matter. It is now being alleged that Cobra Sentinel Private Limited, the private security firm, belongs to a relative of BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.