The Hindu : Front Page : Bangladeshi ‘shocks’ police

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007
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Bangladeshi ‘shocks’ police

Staff Reporter

Rahman was present at a seminar attended by PM, Sonia

HYDERABAD: A Bangladeshi ‘illegal’ immigrant arrested in the city on Monday had not only managed to participate in a seminar attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi, but also got some foreign funds for his use.

A full-fledged investigation has been launched into his possible terror links after the startling revelation that the arrested man Sadiq-ur-Rahman (26) had attended ‘Fida-e-Millat’, a seminar in Vignan Bhavan seven months ago. Rahman is among the 26 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants arrested in the State capital after the police launched a special drive in the wake of the twin blasts on August 25, killing 43 persons.

“He managed to get an invitation to the seminar as a VIP. Though he claims to have taken part in academic interest, we’re probing if there was any other motive,” Charminar ACP B. Reddenna said.

Rahman has been remanded to judicial custody on charges of cheating, impersonation and attempting to get an Indian passport with false documents. Police were also surprised to learn that he managed to get about Rs. 1 lakh from the U.S. and U.K.

Rahman hails from Amnia village in Bangladesh and had crossed over to India paying Rs. 700 to a broker in his country in July 2005.

“I had a genuine passport which I left in my country. Since my efforts to enter India legally failed, I took the help of broker,” the police quoted him as saying.

He was taken into custody at Nooria Ashraful Uloom Madarsa in Bandlaguda where he was living. Rahman initially joined a ‘madarsa’ in Deoband of Uttar Pradesh and pursued ‘Ifta’ course there.

He came to Hyderabad in November last with the help of his contacts. Subsequently, he worked as Imam in Jamia Masjid in Warangal town and returned to Hyderabad a few months ago.

He was trying to get a passport with the help of two other Bangladeshis, Mirza-ur-Rehman and Mohammed Younus, whom he met when he was in Deoband.

He had got a driving licence through Unique Driving School in Kishanbagh and then a ration card.

Mirza-ur-Rahman and Younus were already arrested during the crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

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