Afzal Usmani was planning to settle in Nepal

Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Afzal Usmani was planning to settle down in Nepal ever since he escaped from Mumbai over a month ago.

Police investigations have revealed that Usmani had assumed a fake identity and was preparing bogus documents. “Usmani has been camping in Tatera village of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. He has been preparing bogus documents to get a driving licence. His nephew Javed Khan was also planning to settle down in Nepal,” said Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Rakesh Maria.

The Maharashtra ATS chief added that Usmani had assumed the name of Wasim Sattar Khan.

Maria said the police have found an application made to the regional transport office in Bahraich to obtain a driving licence on the name of Wasim Khan.  The application was made in October, he added.

“The director general of police and the Mumbai police commissioner felt that Usmani’s case should be transferred to the ATS since he was a terror operative. We have now taken over the case from the Colaba police and are investigating it. While Usmani has been booked under Section 224 of the Indian Penal Code for resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension, Javed has been charged with Section 216 of the IPC for harbouring an offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered,” said Maria.

In a security lapse, the 37-year-old IM operative, who was brought to the court on Sept 20 in connection with Ahmedabad blasts case, had given police the slip.