New Delhi

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday said that it has taken over the case related to the recovery of 7.1 kg "natural uranium" worth Rs 21.30 crore in Mumbai.

The anti-terror agency took over the case on Saturday from Mumbai Police on the Union Home Ministry's order and re-registered the case under section 24(1)(a) of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The first case was lodged at Mumbai's Kalachowki Police Station on May 5.

"The case relates to the seizure of 7.1 kg of 'Natural Uranium' having value of about Rs 21.30 crore from illegal possession of accused persons Jigar Jayesh Pandya and Abu Tahir Afzal Choudhary," the NIA said.

"Pursuant to registration of the case, requisite actions as per law for expeditious investigation of case have been initiated."

The NIA on Thursday collected the FIR and other information about the seizure from Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad which arrested Pandya and Choudhary and seized the uranium from their possession on May 5.

Thane resident Panday, 27, and Mankhurd (Mumbai) scrap dealer Choudhary, 31, were produced before a special NIA court which granted police custody for 12 days.

Soon after the recovery of uranium like-substance from Pandya, the Maharashtra ATS first sent it for scientific analysis to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The report was received on May 5.

Pakistan expresses concern

Pakistan has expressed serious concern over reports of seizure of uranium from unauthorised persons in India, stating that security of nuclear materials should be a top priority.

According to sources, the Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad recently seized 7.10 kg radioactive natural uranium and arrested two persons in connection with the case. The confiscated material is expected to be worth at least $2.9 million.

"We have noted with serious concern the reports about seizure of more than 7 kg natural uranium from unauthorised persons in India," read a press release issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office.

Pakistan has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, hinting towards getting the state of India brought under scrutiny.

"Security of nuclear materials should be the top priority for all countries. There is a need for a thorough investigation into the matter as to how such sizeable quantity of uranium could become available outside of any state control and identify the gaps which made this possible," the statement added.

This is not the first time that such a highly radioactive substance has been seized by the authorities in India. In 2016, the police seized almost 9 kg of depleted uranium from the Thane area in Maharashtra.