White powder found in UP assembly turns out to be harmless silica, Govt suspends FSL director

Lucknow : White Powder, believed to be explosive, found in Uttar Pradesh Assembly on July 12 has turned out to be a harmless silica in the final report. The government has suspended Forensic Science Laboratory director Shiv Bihari Upadhyay for allegedly presenting a false report, leading to political tension in the state.

In the initial reports, it was claimed that the white powder found in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was a highly explosive PETN. 

Talking to PTI, Kumar said,"Upadhyay got the substance examined and in the report it was held to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be Silicon Oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive."

The reports suggest that the whole confusion is a result of an expired explosive detection kit that was used by Shiv Bihari Upadhyay for the test of white powder.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna, Bihar, from February 28, 2008, to August 20, 2012, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar said. 

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