Families of the arrested claim they are unaware of what has led to their children’s involvement
Family members, relatives and friends of the four Mumbra youth who were arrested by the ATS on Tuesday morning are in a state of shock and disbelief. They are waiting to gain more clarity on the nature of charges against their wards so that they can decide upon a legal recourse. Some political parties, however, maintain that since it is election time and also the Republic Day is just a few days away, the authorities are trying to show that they are at work.
On Tuesday morning around 3 am, Mohammed Mazhar Shaikh and his family at Almas Colony in Mumbra were woken up from their slumber by the cops from Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS). "There were police vans, cars and jeeps near our colony and we thought the cops were here to support the demolition drive by Thane civic officials," said a person close from the family, who does not wish to be named.
Mazhar, 21 stayed with his wife, a-year-old kid, mother and elder brother Azhar in a one-BHK rented flat at Sagar apartment. "The cops started searching our house and took away a holy book, my laptop which has not been functioning for past two years and all our mobile phones," said Azhar. "All our phones are with the cops and we have no way to communicate with others," he added.
The incident shot up the blood pressure of their mother, who was immediately hospitalised at a nearby hospital. On Wednesday, she was discharged. Mazhar worked in a software firm in Bhiwandi and was also doing a distance learning BCom course and was in his second year, said his brother.
The family was unaware as to what has landed them and Mazhar in this national controversy. "We do not know the charges for which he was picked up. We will wait for a day and then think about hiring an advocate," says Azhar.
Along with Mazhar, brothers Salman and Mohsin Khan and Fahad Shah were also picked up by the ATS from Mumbra and were taken to Aurangabad on January 22. While Mohsin is a civil engineer, Fahad is an architect. Salman is a well-known football coach and runs Gold Sports Academy in Mumbra. "He is very passionate about football and have been coaching students for the past seven years," says a close friend of his who does not wish to be identified. He is associated with five to six government and private schools as a football coach.
Sayed Ali Ashraf, general secretary, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra called these sudden arrests a show of `work in progress'. "26th January is near and they have to show that they are doing something. So they are like let's go to Mumbra and arrest these youths," said Ashraf. "Those who do crime escape like Mehul Choksi and innocent people are caught. For instance, Dhananjay Kulkarni was arrested with weapons in Dombivli but was sent to jail custody. It was only after the media raised the issue that the cops got his custody," he alleges.
"It is when the matter is in court, it turns out that those arrested were innocent. The government should give compensation to them when their innocence is proved, as these cases ruin their career and social standing," he demanded.
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The incident shot up the blood pressure of their mother, who was immediately hospitalised at a nearby hospital. On Wednesday, she was discharged. Mazhar worked in a software firm in Bhiwandi and was also doing a distance learning BCom course and was in his second year, said his brother.
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