Question : USE OF RED BEACON FITTED CARS BY TERRORISTS IN DELHI

(a) whether the various intelligence agencies have alerted the Delhi Police on the use of red-beacon fitted cars by terrorists as reported in the `Statesman` dated April 19, 2002;

(b) if so, whether the Delhi Police has since taken any steps to trace all the red-beacon fitted cars in and around Delhi;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the letter heads of the Home Minister were stolen and used as authorisation for red-beacon by some executives in Delhi; and

(e) if so, the facts thereof and the steps taken to check such act in future?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI CH.VIDYASAGAR RAO)

(a): There are intelligence inputs that some terrorists outfits may attack selected targets. However, Delhi Police have not received any input to specifically suggest that such attacks will be carried out by use of cars fitted with red beacon lights.

(b) & (c): The use of such lights on the top of the vehicles is not permissible except in specified cases. During the year 2001 and 2002 (upto April 15, 2002), 205 vehicles owners/drivers were prosecuted by Delhi Police for violating these provisions.

(d) & (e): On the basis of a complaint lodged by the Assistant Private Secretary to the Union Home Minister that some one had forged his signature on a letter typed on the official letter-head authorizing use of red beacon light on the top of the vehicles owned by the person specified in the said forged letter, a criminal case was registered by Delhi Police. The investigation of the case subsequently confirmed that his signature had in fact been forged. The charge sheet against the accused persons has since been filed in the Court and the matter is sub-judice.