Most-wanted list goof up, an oversight by Mumbai police: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram today accepted the inclusion of terror accused Wazhul Kamar Khan in the list of most-wanted fugitives given to Pakistan was a "mistake". He said it was a "genuine error" by Mumbai Police and an "oversight" by the Intelligence Bureau. (Watch: Most wanted list goof-up genuine oversight, says Chidambaram)

"There was a mistake. We are not trying to blame anyone. We take responsibility for it," said Mr Chidambaram adding, that the Red-Corner alert should have been cancelled and Wazhul Khan's name deleted from the list.

The Home Minister said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was not informed of Wazhul Khan's arrest by the Mumbai police. "It was also a lapse on the part of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)," admitted Mr Chidambaram.

Wazhul Khan, whose name appeared on a list of India's 50 most wanted fugitives, wound up in Mumbai's Thane district, living comfortably with his family. (Watch: Most wanted list blooper - 'Fugitive' lives in Thane) 

Khan, an accused in the 2003 Mulund blasts, has been living in Thane's Waghle Estate with his mother, wife and children, after he was let out on bail, sources said. The forty-four-year-old was also involved in the 2003 Vile Parle and Ghatkopar blasts, besides the 2002 Mumbai Central station blasts.

Speaking to NDTV, Khan said, "I have never visited Pakistan. I have been living in Thane for the past 12 years." He also said that that he wasn't aware of his name being on the most wanted list that was handed to Pakistan. (Watch)

Congress- BJP War of Words

Mr Chidambaram also hit out at Arun Jaitley. Mr Jaitley had said on Tuesday that the "home ministry has risen to the highest level of incompetence and this error has embarrassed the country."

"I recall that sometime ago the Home Minister of the NDA government had said he did not know that 3 terrorists were being taken to Kandahar. Let me ask the BJP leaders if this (Khan episode) marks the level of maximum incompetence, then what was that? If this brought embarrassment to the country, did that statement not bring disgrace to the country? " asked Mr Chidambaram.

Stung by the Home Minister's rebuttal, the BJP said today it was a "monumental error" which will have a serious bearing on the dialogue with Pakistan. Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said, "The tone in which he's justifying that one error is shocking, to say the least. He said he doesn't blame anyone, but he blames Mumbai Police for not informing CBI, and then  blames IB for procedural lapse."

After an embarrassing 24 hours, the CBI deleted Wazhul Khan's name from its list of 50 most-wanted fugitives hiding in Pakistan.

How Wazhul Khan's name stayed on the list

In 2008, just after the 26/11 attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs prepared the most-wanted list of terror suspects, allegedly sheltered by Pakistan. The list was prepared with inputs from the Maharashtra police, the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was asked to verify the list which included Khan's name. The list was subsequently shared with Pakistan. At that time, Khan was wanted by the security agencies as he was absconding. He was later arrested in 2010.

The Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police failed to inform the central investigating agencies, including the CBI, about Khan's arrest.

But, sources in the Mumbai police told NDTV on Tuesday that they had sent the report on Khan's arrest to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) five months ago. The IB, they say, should have removed Khan's name from the list - a fact the Home Minister corroborated  to today.

Khan's name was at number 41 in the list of 50 India's 50 most-wanted fugitives hiding in Pakistan. The list includes Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and dreaded terrorist Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi besides others. (Read: India lists 50 most-wanted fugitives hiding in Pakistan)