Mumbai: Conceding India's request, UAE authorities on February 19 deported Iqbal
Shaikh, younger brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and 1993 bomb blast
absconding accused Ejaz Pathan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal
said in Mumbai on February 19.
Both were put on a flight to India from Dubai tonight (Feb 19), Bhujbal said.
They were recently arrested in Dubai after the killing of Sharad Shetty in a popular
club. India had put up a request to UAE government to deport them in keeping with the
extradition treaty, police sources told reporters.
Iqbal was involved in several criminal cases, including murder, and Ejaz Pathan was
wanted in several cases of contract killing and narcotics smuggling, a top police
officer
said.
In the early 90's, Ejaz Pathan was a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim and gave
logistic support to his gang by taking active part in contract killings and smuggling
of drugs. In
1994, he separated from Dawood gang after Chhota Shakeel took his place.
Thereafter, he joined Ali Budesh gang operating from Dubai. Ali Budesh was the
convenor of anti-Dawood groups. In 2001, he left Ali Budesh also and operated on his
own.
In the 1993 bomb blast case, Ejaz allegedly took active part in the conspiracy. He
had allegedly helped Dawood in the landing of arms and ammunition.
Ejaz had also helped Dawood in arranging the landing of arms and ammunition used in
the 1993 bomb blast. The weapons had landed at Shekhadi and Dighi coasts in Raigad
district in January-February 1993.
The 1993 bomb blast case will now take a new turn with deportation of Ejaz Pathan. 10
years after the serial explosions, the trial has reached its fag end with prosecution
examining more than 600 witnesses.
Defence lawyers would now exercise their right to recall all the witnesses, thereby
delaying the trial further, Abbas Kazmi, who represents 1993 bomb blast accused,
said.
About 34 accused in this case are reportedly absconding and Ejaz's deportation had
come as a victory for the city police, Kazmi said.
PTI
