ATS detains fake note supplier

Mateen Hafeez I TNN
Mumbai: A counterfeit currency supplier was picked up by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in West Bengal and brought to Mumbai for questioning in connection with the encounter deaths of two suspected Bangladeshi nationals last week.

Abdar Ali Mandal (45) was nabbed from Swaroop Nagar Market near Amudiagon in North 24 Parganas, ATS sources said, adding that he had supplied fake currency amounting to Rs 10 lakh to one of the slain suspects, Mohammed Ali, to circulate in the city. Ali had come to deliver the currency and 2 kg RDX to one Babu when both were shot down by the ATS team in Kashimira, Thane district. Both the bodies are still lying unclaimed at JJ Hospital.

“Mandal is also a wanted accused in a 2007 case when the ATS had arrested six Bangladeshi nationals with Rs 11.25 lakh fake Indian currency. During our the investigation of the Kashimira encounter, we came to know that the fake currency being carried by Ali was supplied by Mandal. More arrests will follow,’’ said ATS chief Hemant Karkare.

Mandal has been sent to police custody till April 2. He had visited Mumbai on several occasions in the past and had “close contacts’’ with several people in the city. The ATS is now preparing a list of such people so that they can be questioned .

The police have also seized several incriminating documents from Mandal. It is learnt that Mandal had supplied fake currency to some more people in the western suburbs, who have reportedly fled after the encounter.

Meanwhile, the Kashimira police have discovered Babu’s hideout in Diva. Searches were on to check if he had hidden some more fake currency or firearms over there. Babu was staying in a flat as a paying guest and the police are trying find out as to who had recommended him to the owner of the house. The police said that they have informed their counterparts in Kolkata to collect information on Babu and Mandal’s connections.

KASHIMIRA ENCOUNTER
Abdar Ali Mandal, who was nabbed in West Bengal, had supplied fake currency amounting to Rs 10 lakh to one of the slain suspects, Mohammed Ali, to circulate in Mumbai. Ali had come to deliver the currency and 2 kg RDX to one Babu when both were shot down

The Times of India, March 21, 2008