Hyderabad police said they acted on the basis of information regarding Shafiq from their counterparts in Mumbai and London. “Other than this information, Shafiq was unable to provide convincing information regarding his admission to the MBA college in the US. The papers and documents that he used to gain admission to the college also do not seem to be in order,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Shikha Goel.

She said police was investigating whether he had any terror links. Police officials claimed that Shafiq had earlier been involved in a case of criminal intimidation in the city.

But Shafiq’s family and legal counsel are demanding his release, saying he is innocent, and a victim of racial profiling. “We have not been given any reasons, either by Mumbai police, immigration authorities or Hyderabad police as to why Shafiq is being detained,” said his brother-in-law Zakhar Hussain.

He claimed that London Police had spoken to him and told him that though they had cleared Shafiq, he would not be allowed to fly to the US as the authorities there had refused to accept him.

According to Shafiq, he was working as a clerk last year in a Dubai private firm, Yusuf Feroz and Co.

Hussain, who had also visited Mumbai in an attempt to obtain Shafiq’s release, said that after obtaining admission to the Johnson and Wales college in Rhode Island, Shafiq obtained a student visa from the US Consulate in Dubai. He then took a Virgin Atlantic flight via London to New York.

“When Shafiq landed in London, his name was announced and he was pulled off the plane,” says Hussain. Shafiq was then questioned by police, and handed over to Immigration officials.

“As I had cancelled my Dubai work permit, I was sent back to India by the UK authorities, by a VA flight. As soon as I landed in Mumbai, I was again detained, and questioned for a day,’’ said Shafiq. He was then put on a Mumbai-Hyderabad Indian Airlines flight which landed here at 10.40 pm last night.

Shafiq said that he was again detained by Immigration authorities and handed over to local police. “He was brought here at midnight,” said relatives. Police officials said that Shafiq will be produced before a magistrate late tonight. Shafiq’s legal representative in Hyderabad, Syed Karimuddin Shakil, said: “We have not been told why he was arrested. My client is completely innocent, and there is no reason for his arrest.’’

The youngest of three brothers, Shafiq lives with his family here in the Saidabad area of the city. His father, Mohammed Ayub, is a retired government employee.