M A I N   N E W S

Ansari sent to CBI custody

Aftab Ansari, the prime accused in the American centre attack in Kolkata, arrives at Ahmedabad airport on Saturday. — PTI photo

Ahmedabad, February 16
First Class Judicial Magistrate B.N. Modi today remanded Aftab Ansari, prime accused in the attack on American Information Center in Kolkata, in CBI custody till February 22 in connection with two different cases of RDX seizure and kidnapping.

Ansari was presented at Radhanpur Court in Patan district this afternoon, in connection with the seizure of RDX in October last year and with his alleged involvement in the Bhaskar Parekh kidnapping case.

Ansari was brought to Ahmedabad this morning and whisked away to Radhanpur amidst tight security.

Special Public Prosecutor J.S. Wadia appearing for the CBI gave the details about charges that Ansari was facing including his involvement in bringing explosives and kidnapping.

Aftab Ansari, alias Farhan Malik, was deported by the United Arab Emirates on February 8 along with his accomplice Rajeev Sharma and flown to the capital with a special CBI team and was immediately detained for interrogation.

He was brought to Ahmedabad at 9.25 a.m. by a BSF plane amidst tight security.

Ansari is on CBI remand while his accomplice Raju Anadkat is under investigation at Rajkot in connection with the kidnapping of businessmen Bhaskar Parekh and Paresh Shah, in which Ansari is also allegedly involved.

Ansari, who had claimed responsibility for the American Center attack, is also a prime suspect in kidnapping of West Bengal shoe baron Parthapratim Roy Burman and diamond merchant Bhaskar Parekh and his friend Paresh Shah.

The CBI sources said Ansari would be further questioned in connection with the arms seizure case and identification of hawala operators.

It may be mentioned that at his instance, the Enforcement Directorate arrested hawala dealer Rajesh Shroff on Thursday for facilitating funds for the Kolkata shootout.

The CBI sources said that there were more ramifications to Ansari’s role in other criminal activities and that the agency was also questioning his funding of Mohammed Atta, leader of the terrorist group that carried suicide attacks in the USA on September 11. UNI, PTI

Kolkata attack: 2 more suspects remanded

Kolkata, February 16
Two prime suspects of last month’s terrorist attack on American Center were brought to the city from Rajasthan and produced in a city court today, providing a new twist to the month-long investigation.

Both the suspects were remanded in police custody till March 2.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detective Department) Soumen Mitra said Shakil Mullick, alias Moulana (28), and Patel Dilip Kumar Kantilal (40) were brought to the city early this morning from Jaipur by train by a team of senior city police officials under a tight security cover. The Superintendents of Police of Jaipur and Burmer also accompanied the team, Mr Mitra said.

With the arrest of Shakil and Dilip Patel, altogethjer six suspects, including Aftab Ahmed, Jamaluddin Nasir, Manti and Adil, have so far been taken in police custody in connection with the January 22 terrorist attack on the American Center here that killed five policemen and injured 20 others. UNI