New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday detained Suhail Khandwani, Managing trustee of Mahim Dargah and Haji Ali Dargah, after 6 hours of raids at his office and residence. Besides him, two persons identified as Kayyum and Sameer Angora have been detained by NIA in Mahim and Bandra's Delite Apartments respectively. The central agency, earlier in the day, initiated raids at more than one dozen locations in Mumbai against Pakistan-based gangster Dawood Ibrahim's associates and a few hawala operators.
"NIA raids begin at several locations on the premises of associates of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Raids are being done in Nagpada, Goregaon, Borivali, Santacruz, Mumbra, Bhendi Bazar, and other places," the agency informed, as reported by news agency ANI.
In February, the NIA filed a case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and others under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
According to inputs, NIA carried out raids at Mahim Dargah trustee Suhail Khandwani's residence in Mahim. Six to seven NIA officers reached his residence at 6:30 am. CRPF personnel were outside his apartment while nobody was allowed in, sources told ABP News.
Earlier, NIA Spokesperson Sanyukta Parashar had confirmed to ANI that a case was registered against Dawood and others. The central probe agency filed the case based on an order received from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the report, a special team, led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officer in the NIA along with a Superintendent of Police, was constituted to probe the case.
Names of Dawood and several of his associates were included in the FIR mentioning their roles in terror activities against India through various means, including pumping hawala money, ANI reported citing its sources.
Previously, India's Permanent Representative TS Tirumurti while speaking at the International Counter-Terrorism Conference 2022, had said that linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime must be fully recognised and addressed vigorously. This statement was seen as a veiled reference to Dawood Ibrahim believed to be hiding in Pakistan.
"Linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime must be fully recognized and addressed vigorously. We have seen the crime syndicate responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts not just given state protection but enjoying 5-star hospitality," Tirumurti had said.
On March 12, 1993, a series of 13 bomb explosions occurred in Mumbai killing 257 people and injuring over 713 others. The attacks were planned by Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who remains to be India's 'most wanted' fugitive.
(With Agency Inputs)