Suspect in 2007 arms case questioned

Ayaz Khan (26) was summoned to the Lashkar police station and then to Pune police Crime Branch office. Police officers,however,refused to comment on the link of this interrogation with the Bakery blast case and said it was a regular activity before the festive season.

Sushma Chavan,senior police inspector at Lashkar police station,said,“Ayaz Khan was arrested in 2007 under the Arms Act along with Hemant Dhamale. A pistol,a revolver and two cartridges were recovered from them. Later,they were released on bail. The matter is sub judice at present.”

While leaving the Lashkar police station,Ayaz told The Indian Express,“My name has unnecessarily come up in this case,thanks to some news reports on Thursday. This has happened earlier too. Some of the newspapers have said I am Himayat Baig. It is not true. I was asked by police about my links with Baig.”

Prabhakar Patil,Assistant Commissioner of Police with the Crime Branch,said,“Ayaz was interrogated as part of our regular round up before the festive season. We have booked many other history-sheeters in the combing operations that we are carrying out in some parts of the city.”

Ayaz,first reluctant to disclose details of the interrogation,said,“It was a regular interrogation. I was asked questions about my past and present. I was told that there was no need for me to worry.” Ayaz was allowed to go home after 6 pm. Ayaz’s mother Saira Khan said,“I am not able to figure out why this is happening to us at the time of Eid. My son is innocent.”

Anant Shinde,Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime),said,“As of now we can only say that it was regular interrogation.” When asked about Ayaz’s connection with the Bakery blast,he added,“Right now I do not have anything to say.”