Former Mumbai Commissioner and top cop Rakesh Maria made some sensational statements in his ‘Let Me Say It Now’ memoirs.He went on to say that; one mistake of his has led to the birth of the underworld done by Abu Salem.
Recollecting the history, he narrated what happened on an ill-fated day.
‘Tense moments were prevailing for almost a couple of weeks post the 1993 Mumbai Serial blasts.During our investigation, we recovered arms from actor Sanjay Dutt’s house.I was then the Commissioner of Police.
We had strong intelligence information that a woman named Zaibunnisa Khazi is also linked with the attacks and that she some vital information.
I called her to the Police Station and began enquiring her.She started crying vehemently even before I could utter anything.Moved by her tears, I asked her to go.Mansoor Ahmad, whose car has been used in the transportation of the arms, brought Zaibunnisa Khazi’s name for the first time.Even during another interrogation, he claimed that she too was involved.
Upon his information, I called Zaibunnisa once again, and this time slapped her asking to tell her the truth.She confessed that she is aware of the bombings, and shared Abu Salem’s address in Andheri.
By the time we reached Abu Salem address, he has fled the place and left to Delhi.From there, he went to Dubai via Nepal.
She tipped him before she came to us’, Rakesh Maria said.If I had not believed her the first time, Abu Salem would have been a closed chapter by now.
