Mumbai:
The Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has arrested another person in connection with the 13/7 Mumbai serial blasts. 42-year-old Kanwar Pathreja was arrested from Delhi last night where he runs a jewelley shop in Chandi Chowk. ATS sources say Mr Pathreja supplied Rs 10 lakh to Indian Mujahideen mastermind Yasin Bhatkal, the main accused in the case, in 2011.
Pathreja's arrest is a crucial development in the case considering the ATS will now come to know on whose behest he gave the money to Yasin Bhatkal. Sources say the call to Pathreja came from abroad.
"In a joint operation with Delhi Police's special cell, the main hawala operator, Kanwar Nain Wazeer Chand Patrija, who hails from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from Delhi yesterday and brought to Mumbai," Maharashtra ATS chief Rakesh Maria said.
"Patrija had facilitated the payment used for commissioning the blasts. He was produced before a court today which remanded him in police custody till February 9," the ATS chief said.
The arrest comes within a fortnight of the ATS claiming to have made a breakthrough in the case by arresting three people. However, just hours after the ATS announcement, the Central government is believed to have pulled up ATS chief Rakesh Maria and sources said the Mumbai anti-terror team had not only picked up the wrong man, but had also blown a carefully launched covert operation to nab those involved in the terror attacks.
After considerable embarrassment, claims and counter-claims, the Centre later said it was happy after all with the breakthrough that the Maharashtra ATS had in the 13/7 blasts case.
On July 13 last year, 27 people were killed and nearly 100 injured when bombs exploded in quick succession in Zaveri Bazaar, near Opera House and close to the Dadar area in the city centre. Yasin Bhatkal remains missing and it is now being alleged that Bhatkal was able to escape because of the indiscretion of the Mumbai ATS.
(
With PTI Inputs)