The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday slammed reports in some media saying that the forensic tests revealed that substance detected inside the state Assembly last week is not PETN.
“It is to clarify that no sample has been sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Agra, of the substance as they do not have the machines and wherewithal to conduct the requisite tests,” said Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home).
The State FSL Lucknow, in its report dated July 14, has found the substance as “water insoluble and that different reagent confirms the presence of a nitrate”, Kumar added.
He also pointed out that the preliminary test conducted using explosive detection kit was positive for Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).
Currently, two confirmatory tests are being conducted at SFSL Lucknow — Infrared Spectrum and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Its results are still awaited.
In a major security breach, a white powder substance was discovered from inside the Vidhan Sabha premises on July 13, that invited sharp criticism from the opposition over security.
The substance was recovered from near the Leader of Opposition’s seat.
A probe has been carried out by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) since July 15.
