Mateen Hafeez | TNN
Mumbai: The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Saturday arrested Ehtesham Siddiqui, a publisher of religious texts, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged association with the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).However, officials hinted that Siddiqui, the first to be arrested under UAPA since Terror Tuesday, might not have anything to do with the blasts that killed around 200 and hurt 700 others. Incidentally, UAPA is the last remaining anti-terror law in India.
The eight others arrested have been accused of direct or indirect involvement in 7/11 but have been slapped only with IPC charges, making it possible for them to get bail if officials fail to file the chargesheet within 90 days. Faisal Shaikh, who the police say is “the western India Lashkar-e-Taiba commander’’, has also escaped the tough UAPA clauses.
Siddiqui, owner of Shahada Publishing House, was picked up from his residence and booked under sections 10 and 13 of the UAPA for being a member of an unlawful association and being involved in unlawful activities.
The police claimed to have seized “jehadi literature’’ from his residence. Among the items found were 400 copies of Jihad Fi Sabilillah (Crusade in the name of Allah), 110 copies of Jihadi Azkaar (Tales of crusaders) and 250 books of Jihad Fi Sabil Allah Kyun? (Why crusade in the name of Allah?).
‘Books with suspect were sold in market’
Mumbai: Although police officials claim the literature found at the residence of Ehtesham Siddiqui, a publisher of religious texts who has been arrested for his SIMI links, is objectionable, the issue is not beyond debate.
TOI visited several book stalls on Mohammad Ali Road and Bhendi Bazaar on Saturday and spoke to shopkeepers selling books published by Shahada Publishing House. “Several other publications also publish books on similar topics and they are sold in the open market,’’ a bookseller said.
Other books published by Siddiqui include Dosti Aur Dushmani, Wafadari Aur Bezaari, Alamaat-e-Qayamat (Signs of doomsday) and Jahannum Aur Ahle Jahannum (Hell and those who are destined for hell).
Officials, however, insisted that the literature they had seized was objectionable. ATS additional commissioner of police Jai Jeet Singh said, “The literature was objectionable and therefore we seized it.’’
Officials also alleged that Siddiqui was associated with arrested unani physician Tanvir Ansari. Besides, they pointed out that Siddiqui had been arrested by the Kurla police in 2001—soon after SIMI was banned—as he, as then SIMI state joint secretary, was preaching jehad.
Siddiqui’s family shifted to Safiya Manzil in Mira Road two years ago from their Masjid Galli residence. However, neighbours said the family had moved out two days ago after the arrival of policemen.
The Times of India, July 30, 2006
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