Mohammed Raheel Ataur Rehman Sheikh, an alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba operative wanted for the Mumbai 7/11 serial train blasts, has been picked up by authorities in Britain on the basis of an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against him. Sheikh is accused of being a part of the criminal conspiracy and funding the blasts which killed 188 people in 2006.

The CBI has asked the Mumbai Police Crime Branch to submit a dossier on Sheikh to start extradition process.

“On November 14, we received a communication from the CBI in Delhi to provide details of Raheel Sheikh’s involvement in the blast. We will send a reply today,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria.

Sources said Raheel was picked up from Birmingham a few weeks ago and a passport issued from Pune was recovered from him. On November 10, Interpol contacted the CBI seeking details behind the RCN against Sheikh.

Sheikh’s younger brothers, Faizal and Muzammil, have already been arrested. Originally a resident of Naya Nagar in Mumbai’s Mira Road, Sheikh worked for six months in Bangalore in 2003 where Muzammil was also employed as a software engineer. He later moved to the Kondhwa area of Pune and as part of his job, was moved to Dubai where he came into contact with absconding accused Rizwaan Dawrey.

They are accused of channeling funds from Pakistan to Dubai and the UK, and then sending Indian Rupees and Saudi Riyals to LeT operatives in Mumbai and Pune through hawala channels. According to the chargesheet, Rs 3.6 lakh along with 80,200 Saudi Riyals were sent to Faizal and Muzammil.