‘Left our two sons with me, never contacted us after divorce’: Ex-husband of Dr Shaheen, accused in terror module case

He said he never noticed any unusual activity when they were married. According to him, Shaheen often insisted they move to Australia or a European country for a better life, as there was a high demand for medical teachers there, but he turned down her suggestion as he was happy and satisfied in India.

After the divorce, he said Shaheen left their two young sons in his care and never contacted them again. “I got the news about her (being taken into custody) last night,” he added.

Along with Shaheen, her brother, Dr Parvez Ansari, was taken into custody as well. On Tuesday, a senior officer had said the siblings were in the custody of the J&K police, who were questioning them along with other suspects.

During preliminary inquiry, officials said, nothing suspicious was found at their family home in Lucknow’s Kandhari Bazar. Their father and elder brother were questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and J&K Police till Tuesday night regarding Shaheen and Parvez’s activities and close friends in Lucknow, it is learnt.

Investigators also contacted Shaheen’s ex-husband, it is learnt.

As part of the probe, the ATS, in coordination with the J&K Police, has been verifying details gathered during the questioning of all the accused in the terror module, including the siblings.

According to sources, inputs indicate that there may be some sympathisers of the module in certain UP districts. Police teams have been alerted and are conducting inquiries, sources told The Indian Express. A team of ATS officials has also been sent to Delhi and Faridabad and is coordinating with agencies in the investigation.

The joint investigation by the ATS and J&K Police is ongoing, a senior official said.

Dr Shaheen was employed at Faridabad’s Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, where at least two other accused — Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, who was arrested earlier, and Dr Umar Nabi, the suspected Red Fort blast accused — were working, officials said.

At Al Falah, sources said Shaheen allegedly came in contact with Dr Ganai. It is suspected that Dr Ganai had used her vehicle, and when raids were conducted following his arrest, a weapon was recovered inside.