Conversion case: ATS gets remand of 3

Lucknow: The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Thursday got a four-day police remand of Irfan Sheikh, an interpreter at a central government-run sign language and research and training centre, Munna Yadav of Delhi and Rahul Bhola of Gurgaon, who were arrested on Monday for their role in illegal religious conversions of physically challenged children to Islam. Both Yadav and Bhola are visually and hearing impaired and were roped in by Irfan Sheikh to lure and convert specially

abled children. Yadav called himself Abdul Mannan after embracing Islam.

Irfan’s photos at a Prime Minister’s event in Delhi had gone viral on social media, but investigators downplayed the issue, saying photo-ops have nothing to do with the ongoing probe. ATS sources said Irfan would brainwash children and convert them to Islam at Jamia Nagar-based Islamic Dawah Centre, which was run by one of the masterminds, Mufti Kazi Jahangeer Qasmi, who is now in ATS custody.

The trio of Irfan, Yadav and Bhola will be confronted with key accused, Umar Gautam and Qasmi, for cross examination and corroboration of evidence, followed by a one-on-one with the duo.

IG ATS, G K Goswamy, said they would be interrogated on evidence gathered.