Zakir Shaikh’s family pins hope on judiciary

The family members of Mohammed Zakir Shaikh are shocked after his name surfaced in the Surat live bombs and Ahmedabad blasts cases.

Local cops unaware about his role in planting of bombs; he is innocent, says elder brother

The family members of Mohammed Zakir Shaikh are shocked after his name surfaced in the Surat live bombs and Ahmedabad blasts cases. “We don’t rely on the police investigations. We have full faith in the judiciary and we will accept the decision of the court,” said Zakir’s elder brother Mohammed Danish Shaikh. Zakir (28) was picked up from his house in Bhiwandi, Mumbai.

During his interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the terrorist attacks. He has a masters degree in Psychology from Shibli College in Azamgarh (UP) and belongs to a family of landlords.

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He has six brothers and his elder brother works as an accountant in a private firm in Bhiwandi. Danish had come to Surat from Azamgarh in 1977 and started a betel nut business. After his business took shape, Danish purchased properties in Rehmatnagar in Rander area and even called his two younger brothers from Azamgarh to start a scrap business.

Two years ago, Zakir came to stay with his elder brother Danish in Surat, after completing his studies. He joined the scrap business. After sometime, he started a shop near Sheetal Talkies at Adajan area in Rander. He married Rukhaiyabanu a year ago, but continued living with Danish. Three months ago, he went to Bhiwandi and started a scrap cleaning factory over there.

Mohammed Danish Shaikh said: “My brother is innocent and he is not involved with any terrorist organisation. Two days ago, we came to know from my elder brother Shahid, who is in Bhiwandi, about the arrest of Zakir. We don’t have faith in police investigation but have full faith in the judiciary. We never had any problem during his two-year stay in Surat. The arrest will definitely affect our business. Our family is reputed in Azamgarh and we don’t do such things. Our entire family is disturbed over this issue. Even his wife is in a state of shock and has stopped talking to the family. He had also applied to go for Haj this year and all the documents have been sent and the process is on. We have full faith in God.”

Surat Police Commissioner RMS Brar said: “We don’t have official information about Zakir’s involvement in planting of bombs in Surat and also in the Ahmedabad blasts. We have sent our team to Mumbai and they are gathering information. We will apply for his custody later.”