The 150 gram of white powder found in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on 12 July was just silicon dioxide and not PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), said a report by National Investigation Agency. The UP government suspended director of the forensic science laboratory (FSL) for giving false information.
On the basis of that false info, the state had concluded that the material was explosive. “The Hyderabad CFSL, in its report, informed us that neither the substance was PETN nor any other explosive,” said a senior NIA official, reported TOI. The agency will now file a closure report.
In the preliminary report, director of FSL, Shiv Bihari Upadhyay had said that the substance was explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The investigation was then taken forward by NIA that found the substance was just harmless quartz or silica.
On 12 July, a white powdered stuff was found under the seat in the UP Assembly. “This is PETN, this is a dangerous substance. It will be revealed who is behind this. Police verification should be conducted of every security personnel,” Adityanath had then said.
