Author: Mateen Hafeez
Publication: The Times of India
Date: March 21, 2008
A counterfeit currency supplier was picked
up by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in West Bengal and brought
to Mumbai for questioning in connection with the encounter deaths of two suspected
Bangladeshi nationals last week.
Abdar Ali Mandal (45) was nabbed from Swaroop
Nagar Market near Amudiagon in North 24 Parganas, ATS sources said, adding
that he had supplied fake currency amounting to Rs 10 lakh to one of the slain
suspects, Mohammed Ali, to circulate in the city. Ali had come to deliver
the currency and 2 kg RDX to one Babu when both were shot down by the ATS
team in Kashimira, Thane district. Both the bodies are still lying unclaimed
at JJ Hospital.
"Mandal is also a wanted accused in a
2007 case when the ATS had arrested six Bangladeshi nationals with Rs 11.25
lakh fake Indian currency. During our the investigation of the Kashimira encounter,
we came to know that the fake currency being carried by Ali was supplied by
Mandal. More arrests will follow,'' said ATS chief Hemant Karkare.
Mandal has been sent to police custody till
April 2. He had visited Mumbai on several occasions in the past and had "close
contacts'' with several people in the city. The ATS is now preparing a list
of such people so that they can be questioned .
The police have also seized several incriminating
documents from Mandal. It is learnt that Mandal had supplied fake currency
to some more people in the western suburbs, who have reportedly fled after
the encounter.
Meanwhile, the Kashimira police have discovered
Babu's hideout in Diva. Searches were on to check if he had hidden some more
fake currency or firearms over there. Babu was staying in a flat as a paying
guest and the police are trying find out as to who had recommended him to
the owner of the house. The police said that they have informed their counterparts
in Kolkata to collect information on Babu and Mandal's connections.
