The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken Ejaz Pathan, close aide of underworld Dawood Ibrahim and wanted in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, into custody after he was deported from Dubai on Wednesday night.
An agency spokesman said that he would be produced before the TADA [Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act] court in Mumbai later on Thursday where the CBI would request further custody for interrogation.
The city police will question him later on his involvement in other cases including narcotics smuggling and supply of illegal arms, Police Commissioner R S Sharma said on Thursday.
Pathan was arrested on Tuesday night at the Mumbai airport along with Iqbal Sheikh Kaskar, younger brother of underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim, on their arrival from Dubai.
Pathan played an active role in helping Dawood Ibrahim with the supply of RDX and arms and ammunition used in the 1993 bomb blasts. Pathan's men were also instrumental in the landings of the arms in coastal Raigad district.
Pathan left India before the 1993 bomb blasts shattered the city killing 257 persons and injuring over 700 besides damaging property worth Rs 30 crore [300 million].
As he was absconding, the court had issued non-bailable warrants and red corner notices against him. The CBI had also alerted Interpol.
The CBI had already filed a 1,300 page charge sheet in the Bombay blasts case and the trial is at its final stage.With Pathan's arrest the case has taken a new turn as he is the first absconding accused to be arrested, police sources said.
Iqbal Shaikh Kaskar, younger brother of underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim, is wanted in six serious offences, including murder and attempt to murder, Sharma said.
Police are considering booking him under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, but the decision will be taken after seeking legal opinion, he added.
Reacting to their deposition, Sharma said, "This is just the beginning of coordination efforts between UAE [United Arab Emirates] authorities and the Mumbai police. We may get more such success in future".
Iqbal had left India in the early 1980s along with other brothers Dawood, Noora, Anees and Mushtaqeen. Since then he is in Dubai and running a business there. He is also indirectly involved in construction businesses in Mumbai, police sources said.