Mujahideen member a key suspect in Ambani bomb scare case

The episode involving placing explosive-laden SUV near Mukesh Ambani’s home in Mumbai has led the investigators to Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Tehsin Akhtar of Indian Mujahideen is the key suspect in the case.

Media reports say a search of the jail premises by Delhi Police led to the recovery of a mobile phone handset and a SIM card where a Telegram account on the messaging app was created. This account had claimed responsibility for the gelatin-filled SUV found abandoned near the industrialist’s residence in Mumbai and the user had demanded money through cryptocurrency.

The jail barrack from where the purported handset was recovered lodges Indian Mujahideen terror convicts and also others involved in terrorism and underworld activities, the reports said, adding the Telegram account was created on February 26. Mumbai Police cyber experts found messaging source “near Tihar jail.”

A Mahindra Scorpio with gelatin sticks was found parked near ‘Antilia’, the luxury residence of Ambani, in south Mumbai on February 25. The Telegram account holder claimed responsibility on February 27.

Akhtar landed in the police net after the 2014 serial blasts in Patna targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally. He is also said to be involved in the serial blasts in Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya.

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The Delhi Police Special Cell is also looking into another number which was active in September last year but was suspended later, NDTV reported quoting an unnamed official. Both the numbers were purchased using fake IDs, said the official.

The police are planning to seek Akhtar’s custody so as to question him about the mobile phone seizure.

“Based on information provided by Special Cell, Tihar Jail authorities have seized a mobile phone from a jail where certain terror convicts are lodged. It is suspected that this phone has been used for operating Telegram channels used recently for claiming responsibility for terror acts/threats. Further investigation and forensic analysis will be done after the mobile handset and details of the seizure are received from Tihar Jail authorities,” Delhi Police said in a statement.

The SUV was in possession of Thane-based auto parts dealer Mansukh Hiran, who was found dead a few days after the episode. The investigation is now transferred to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.

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