CBI withdraws Most Wanted list from its website

New Delhi: Embarrassed by the blunders in its list of 50 Most Wanted Terrorists, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday withdrew it from its website for updation. The names of the 50 Most Wanted people were prepared by the Home Ministry following inputs from investigating agencies like the National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the CBI.

The Ministry has now directed the investigating agencies to review and recheck the list. Sources have told CNN-IBN that the Home Ministry would decide on further course of action after they revert. Sources said that the three month database would be reviewed and updated and a double check system would be put in place so that in future no more goof ups take place.

The Home Ministry had on May 18 sent an advisory to all the state governments, intelligence and investigating agency to cross check all data on most wanted list. The agencies have been asked to put enough cross checking systems and mechanisms in place.

Meanwhile, India is likely to send a revised list of fugitives to Pakistan. "After preparing a correct list, we may send it to Pakistan," an official said.

Pakistan is likely to be also informed about the two persons whose names had erroneously been included in the list of wanted terrorists and given to that country are currently in India.

"The CBI, the IB and the NIA have been asked to coordinate and prepare a revised and correct list after authentication," the official said.

Earlier, Secretary, Internal Security in the Home Ministry, UK Bansal accepted the gaffe in India's Most Wanted list but said there was no question of recalling the list.

"Error has been accepted. Responsibility will be fixed for the mistake. There is no possibility of recalling the list. MHA is reviewing the list," he said.

Two people whose names were on the Most Wanted list were found to be in India. While accused number 24 Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan has been traced to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, another alleged terrorist Wazhul Kamar Khan, accused in three bomb blasts, was found to be residing in Thane.

Feroz alias Hamza, is wanted in the 1993 Bombay blast case and was arrested in February 2010. Khan is an accused in the 2003 Mulund train blast, the 2003 Vile-Parle and Ghatkopar blasts besides the 2002 Mumbai Central blasts.