Indo-British Woman Banker Charged With Attempted Murder

LONDON – The Scotland Yardhas charged a 36-year-old Indo-British woman banker withattempted murder as part of anongoing anti-terrorism operation.Kuntal Patel, who works atBarclays Bank in Canary Wharfwas held on January 26 as antiterrorpolice raided a propertyat Stratford in east London afterintelligence inputs suggestedthe presence of toxic chemicals.Kuntal is the daughter of magistrateMeena Patel who sits onthe bench at ThamesMagistrates’ Court in eastLondon.Sources said she is accused ofplotting to kill her magistratemother.A statement from ScotlandYard released on Thursday said”A woman has been chargedfollowing searches at threeaddresses in London. KuntalPatel, 36, of Park Road, hasbeen charged with attemptedmurder following an investigationby the Counter TerrorismCommand.The Yard further said thatKuntal will appear in custody atWestminster Magistrates’ Courton Thursday evening.”We are not able to discuss furtherat this stage. Inquiries areongoing as part of an intelligence-led pre-planned operation.She will appear atWestminster magistrates’ courtlater today following three daysof questioning,” Scotland Yardadded.A British swat team had raidedKuntal’s house in breathing gearand protective clothing andspent four days searching the£450,000 terraced home in ParkRoad, Stratford which sheshares with her mother.Scotland Yard’s CounterTerrorist Command launchedthe investigation after receivingintelligence of a plot involving atoxic chemical.Two other homes in southLondon were also searched.Police however has refused todivulge if anything was found.Patel has been charged undercriminal rather than anti-terroristlegislation.