Explosive In UP Assembly: Preliminary Tests Positive For PETN, Says Official

The Uttar Pradesh government has said the powdery substance detected in the state Assembly has tested positive for explosive PETN in preliminary examination at the state forensic science laboratory in Lucknow. It also clarified that no sample has been sent to the forensic science laboratory in Agra.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar dismissed reports that the substance was not found to be PETN in tests conducted at Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Agra. He clarified that no sample has been sent to the Agra lab as it does not have the machines to conduct the requisite tests.

He also said that the report of two confirmatory tests conducted at the laboratory in Lucknow is expected by tomorrow. "Reports have been carried in some sections of media that in tests conducted at forensic science lab in Agra, the substance detected in UP Assembly hall is not PETN."

"It is to clarify that no sample has been sent to the lab in Agra of the substance as they do not have the machines or wherewithal to conduct the requisite tests," the official said.

The "factual position", he said, is that forensic lab in Lucknow in its report dated July 14 has found the substance as water insoluble, the different reagents confirm the presence of a nitrate and that the preliminary test conducted using explosive detection kit is positive for PETN, he said.

"Two confirmatory tests are being conducted at the lab in Lucknow -- Infrared Spectrum and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrum, the report of which is still awaited and is likely to come by Thursday," he added.

About 150 grams of the white powdery explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of the Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Choudhary on July 12, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had told the Assembly soon after it met on July 14.