No Radioactive Materials Found in Arrest of Francis Ekka, Police Investigate Alleged Forgery Scheme

KalimNews, Siliguri, November 30, 2024 : In a recent press conference held at the Panighatta Outpost, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash provided an update on the ongoing investigation involving Francis Ekka, who was arrested earlier this week in connection with the forging of documents related to iridium. Prakash confirmed that no radioactive substances were found during the investigation, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, which conducted a thorough search using specialized instruments, found nothing suspicious.

"We have written to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to eliminate any remaining possibilities," Prakash stated, addressing concerns raised about the presence of potentially dangerous materials. "During interrogation, it was revealed that Ekka had been attempting to deceive people by forging documents related to iridium," he added.

Ekka, who was arrested on charges of cheating and forgery, is believed to have been following instructions from a person in Munger, Bihar, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the operation. The police have confirmed that the individual in Munger will be a key target in the ongoing investigation, with a team of Army intelligence officers set to depart for Bihar soon to follow leads.

Prakash clarified that there was no evidence linking Francis Ekka to any anti-national elements. "There were no radioactive substances recovered during the investigation, and Ekka had no connection to any terrorism-related activities," he said. However, Ekka's involvement in a previous similar case, where he was charged with forging documents related to iridium in 2018, has raised concerns. The Mirik Police Station had booked Ekka back then for similar offenses.

A case of cheating has been filed against Ekka, and investigations are ongoing. "We believe that more individuals are involved in this fraudulent scheme, and we expect further arrests in the coming days," Prakash added.

The arrest of Francis Ekka, who is understood to be the husband of a local panchayat leader, has sparked political debates, especially among BJP leaders who have raised concerns about national security. They have questioned whether the case could have larger implications, given Ekka's alleged involvement in forgery and document manipulation. However, the police have firmly stated that no evidence of national security threats has been found.

The authorities are continuing their probe into the matter, and the investigation into Ekka's associates and the person suspected of orchestrating the operation from Bihar is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.