Suspect had brush with politics too

HYDERABAD: Mohammed Abdul Rauf, one of the four accused arrested in connection with the murder of former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya, had contested the municipal elections on an MIM ticket from Akberbagh last year.
The eldest son of Abdul Quadir and a resident of Asman Gadh in New Saidabad Colony, 28-year-old Rauf is a real-estate businessman.His father is an attendent with the veterinary department.
When contacted, MIM floor leader Asaduddin Owaisi said Rauf was initially a TDP man. However, when he was not given a party ticket by the TDP he joined the MIM and contested the civic polls. “I don’t know on what charges Rauf was arrested,� Owaisi said adding that he was informed of Rauf’s arrest by his family members.
According to the sources, Rauf had been arrested in connection with the sensational Devender murder case a few years ago. However, he was reportedly acquitted in that case.
According to police, explosives had been recovered from his possession and two others in 2000 and a case was registered in Saidabad police station. The CID too registered a conspiracy case relating to the theatre bomb blasts in Hyderabad, Metpally and Nanded in Maharashtra. Similarly, he was involved in the Kakatiya Hotel blast case in Moghalpura along with Asghar Ali and others.
According to Rauf’s mother Rukhiya Bee, Rauf was taken into custody by plainclothesmen on Wednesday morning. The police apparently bundled Rauf into his own van and sped off. Rauf’s parents have sent telegrams to the governor, CM and other authorities pleading his innocence.
Rukhiya Bee, mother of Mohammad Abdul Rauf, one of the accused Haren Pandya’s murder, at her house in Asmangadh on Thursday.