Image Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
Life came to a standstill for Sita (name changed), when the media flashed Riyaz Ali Sheikh's (alias Rehan) name as a terrorist. Riyaz had been arrested by the local police after he eloped with Sita when she was still in her teens
Sheikh was again arrested this year by the Anti Terror Squad (ATS) from near the Matunga railway station on Saturday, March 13 along with his brother-in-law Abdul Latif alias Guddu. This time, on suspicion that he was planning to blow up the ONGC headquarters.
"I can't believe that Rehan would plan or do something like this. I never suspected him about his alleged terrorist activities, and I am still in shock," said Sita.
"I still remember our first meet at Thakker mall where he used to work as a salesman at a jeans shop. Initially, whenever I went to his shop, he would offer me heavy discounts. Gradually, we became good friends and exchanged our phone numbers. Soon, we were so close that he became a part of my college circle," she added.
Sita denied that he knew Guddu. "I never heard about Guddu from Rehan," she added. "My father saw us together, and I panicked, so we decided to elope. But within a few hours, the local police caught us."
She added, "He was smart, gregarious and stylish, and I hardly saw him lose his temper." Sheikh's ex-boss Puneet Prajapati echoed Sita's sentiments. "He got good business for me, and was so popular among my clients that they used to share their mobile numbers with him. I can't believe he is a terrorist."
The ATS arrested Riyaz and Abdul Latif alias Guddu from near Matunga railway station on Saturday night, as they suspected that the two were planning to blow up the ONGC headquarters, Thakker Mall in Borivli and Mangaldas Market in south Mumbai.