Patna: The family of a 33-year-old Bihar native arrested by Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for alleged links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has denied the charges, saying he was an ordinary businessman who sold perfumes and worked as a Rapido driver.Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar was arrested from Mumbai’s Mahim area on Friday. His relatives alleged he was being falsely implicated. ATS suspects Akhtar promoted material associated with JeM on social media. A search of his phone allegedly led to the recovery of provocative posts and audio clips of JeM founder Masood Azhar, police sources said.The agency is examining his social media accounts, links to a Telegram group and possible contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The case is being handled by the Kalachowki unit of Mumbai ATS.Akhtar, who hails from Kishanganj district, had lived in Mumbai for around 10 years. His sister-in-law said he first moved to Delhi to stay with his elder brother but left for Mumbai after a disagreement over his studies. He later sold perfumes and worked as a Rapido driver.“He was living with his elder brother in Delhi. When his brother scolded him over his studies, he became upset and went to Mumbai. He started selling perfumes there,” she said.His cousin, Shabih Anwar, also rejected the allegations. “There is no truth in what the Mumbai ATS is alleging. He ran his own business and was a good person,” Anwar said.ATS has registered a case against Akhtar under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), concerning acts promoting enmity between groups and prejudicial to social harmony. A court on Friday remanded him in police custody for further interrogation. The family’s claims could not be independently verified.
