Rajiv assassination: Probe term extended

The Government has decided to extend the term of the high-profile Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA), set up under the CBI in 1998 to probe the conspiracy aspect of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, by another year - till May 31, 2009.

The term of MDMA, which is probing the role of controversial godman Chandraswami and others - including some LTTE leaders in the conspiracy - was to expire on May 31, 2008. The decision for extension was taken after reviewing the demand of the CBI in this regard following the meeting of agency chief Vijay Shanker with home minister Shivraj Patil last week.

"The home ministry has agreed in principle to give MDMA another extension and a required notification in this regard will be issued shortly," said a senior home ministry official, adding the agency has, however, been asked to speed up its probe as it has already taken a lot of time since 1998.

The MDMA, comprising officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), has, on its part, asked the government to use diplomatic channels to ensure help from different countries in locating the conspirators and their financial network. Times of India