Arrest of terror suspect by ATS brings focus back on man with long-running underworld connections

Zakir Shaikh was arrested last week from Jogeshwari

Sources have said that Zakir Hussain Shaikh, 45, who was picked up from Jogeshwari on September 18, was working at the behest of his brother Sageer Shaikh, an aide of Chhota Shakeel. Sageer is currently in Karachi and was roped in for the terror plot as he had not done any work for the Dawood gang for a long time. ATS has found that Zakir was in touch with one Anthony. That man is none other than Sageer.

Mumbai police had arrested Sageer and a few men working for Shakeel in 1998 for the murder of one Farooq Batatawala. At that time, Sageer's brothers Zakir and Sadik had a flourishing artificial jewellery business. They apparently provided help to Sageer when he was in jail.

The terror design unfolded with the arrest of city resident Jan Mohammed Shaikh, alias Sameer Kaliya and five others. Pic/Shadab Khan

Zakir and Sadik had been arrested in connection with a plot to attack top BJP leader L K Advani in 2001. Both were acquitted in 2004. It was then Sageer went to Pakistan.

In 2007, Sadik died after which the family ran into bad times. Zakir, who used to take care of his family members, started driving taxis and autos. Taking advantage of his condition, Sageer remained in touch with Zakir and began using him for illegal activities.

ATS investigation has shown that Zakir was in contact with a person named Anthony. The ATS suspects Anthony is Sageer Shaikh, who is hiding in Pakistan. They said Anthony, alias Anas, alias Anwar, was preparing to carry out terror activities from the neighbouring country. Sageer has become active after a long time for the Dawood gang.

Jan Mohammed Shaikh's house at Social Nagar in Dharavi

Source said Sageer is close to Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim and runs his drug and arms business in Gulf countries under his supervision. He is known as Anwar in Pakistan and Anas among his Gulf contacts.

Sageer was apparently given the responsibility of launching terror strikes in India on the instructions of ISI since he was lying low as far as Indian agencies are concerned.