Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Ministry of Home Affairs has transferred the investigation into the grenade attack near the Punjab BJP office in Chandigarh to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), paving the way for the central agency to take over further investigation and prosecution in the case.
The development was placed before a Chandigarh Sessions Court through an application filed by the NIA, seeking that the case be transferred to the Special NIA Court in Chandigarh along with the records currently held by Chandigarh Police.
The incident dates back to April 1, 2026, when an explosion occurred near the Punjab BJP office in Sector 37-A. The blast damaged the boundary wall and vehicles in the vicinity. No deaths were reported in the attack.
11 accused already in judicial custody
According to the NIA’s application, Chandigarh Police registered an FIR at the Sector 39 police station under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 following the incident.
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of 11 people, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.
Chandigarh Police filed its final report on July 13, 2026, invoking provisions of the Explosive Substances Act along with Sections 16, 18 and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
However, the investigation had not completely ended. Police continued to examine the involvement of the charge-sheeted accused as well as any other individuals who might emerge during further investigation.
NIA takes over investigation
The Home Ministry formally entrusted the case to the NIA through an order dated September 7.
Following the order, the agency re-registered the case on September 8 under the Explosive Substances Act and assumed responsibility for the remaining investigation and prosecution.
The NIA has now sought custody of the complete case records from Chandigarh Police so that the pending investigation can continue under the central agency.
Case sent to Special NIA Court
After hearing arguments from the NIA’s special prosecutor, the Chandigarh Sessions Court noted that cases investigated by the NIA fall under the jurisdiction of the designated Special Court under the National Investigation Agency Act.
With the investigation formally transferred to the central agency, the Sessions Court directed that the matter be sent to the Special Judge, NIA, Chandigarh, for further proceedings.
Investigation points to wider network
The case has also raised questions about the wider network allegedly connected with the attack.
According to the investigation conducted so far, police have alleged that the attack was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and involved handlers operating from abroad, including locations in Portugal and Germany.
The banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) had claimed responsibility for the blast shortly after the incident. The investigation has been examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, the alleged involvement of those arrested and the role of individuals operating from outside India.
With the NIA now taking charge, the agency will continue investigating the existing accused as well as any additional links or suspects that may emerge during the probe.
