26/11 behind,Ansaris pray for Rampur attack acquittal

In 2008,the UP STF had arrested Ansari for an attack on the CRPF camp in Rampur. Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed were later made co-accused in the 26/11 case,charged with supplying maps of the target sites to Pakistani handlers.

“Fahim married in 2005 and then went to Dubai for work. We were obviously under the impression that he was out of India till we learnt he had been picked up in a terror attack case in Uttar Pradesh. We were numb with shock and were just beginning to cope with the newfound tag of being a terrorist’s family when we learnt that he has also been made an accused in the 26/11 case. While we were unaware of his involvement in the first case,we knew from the beginning that the second allegation was unfair,as when those charges were levelled,he had been in jail for eight months in the Rampur case. How could he have participated in the plotting of the attack from inside jail and handed over maps to handlers,like the police claimed,” said Abu Bakr,who was in UP during the 26/11 attack,having gone to meet Fahim.

Outside the court premises,Fahim’s wife Yasmin said,“We were not in a proper frame of mind after he was arrested. Moreover,we did not know whom to contact. However,we had faith in Allah and during that time,we came in touch with Jamiat Ulama (Hind) who agreed to take up our case.”

Yasmin said the office-bearers of Jamiat helped them at every stage of the trial and promised they would fight in the court till Fahim got justice.

“Jamiat came at the time when even some our relatives did not help us and we are very thankful,” she said.

“Initially,we were provided with advocate Shahid Azmi who was gunned down a few months ago. He had always taken a special interest in the case. Currently,advocate RB Mokashi and advocate Khalid Azmi are helping us in the trial.”Mokashi said justice has been served finally. “The prosecution is an aggrieved party and they might go in for an appeal but our case will remain the same. Justice will prevail,” he said.

In the past two years,the family has suffered emotionally and financially owing to the trial. “We have an envelope printing business and all six of us brothers had an equal share. However after Fahim’s arrest,our business began dwindling as no client wanted to be associated with a ‘terrorist’. Now we only have one client and times are tough but this verdict is like a salve on our wounds. It has given us the strength that we need to fight for justice in the Rampur case too,” said Saba Ansari,Abu Bakr’s wife.

The family and neighbours say Fahim is mild-mannered and quiet.

“He never fell into any problems and was a hard-working chap. My kids and he have played together and I have watched him grow up. When the news of his arrest broke,we were all skeptical of the validity of the allegations and now that he has been acquitted,all we hope is that he returns soon to his family,” said a neighbour.

The family says there is news besides his acquittal that will make Ansari smile. His young daughter has scored 92 per cent in her Class II exams,standing second in class. “His wife and daughter have waited long enough for justice. We hope he comes home soon,” said Saba.