Preliminary tests positive for PETN at SFSL-Lucknow, samples not sent to Agra lab: Official

Lucknow: 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 here and no sample has been sent to FSL, 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 SFSL here is expected by tomorrow.

"Reports have been carried in some sections of media that in tests conducted at FSL, Agra, the substance detected in UP Assembly hall is not PETN.

"It is to clarify that no sample has been sent to FSL, 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 SFSL, 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 SFSL, 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.