The Central Bureau of Investigation approached the Saudi Arabian authorities on Tuesday to verify reports about the detention in that country of Anees Ibrahim, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

The query follows reports that Anees, against whom an Interpol Red Corner notice was issued at the instance of the CBI, has been detained at the Jeddah airport.

"We have approached the Saudi authorities telephonically as well as through other modes of communications," a senior CBI official said.

Anees is wanted by the CBI for his involvement in the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai. Anees had been detained earlier in Dubai in 2002 after which he was bailed out and deported back to Pakistan despite the CBI sending an extradition request.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the authorities are trying to ascertain the veracity of the report of his detention.

The CBI had also mentioned Anees' involvement in bringing youths to Dubai and later sending them to Karachi for training. The youths, after being trained in Karachi were later shifted to Mumbai for carrying out terror attacks in the country.

Besides his involvement in the Mumbai blasts, Anees is also wanted in nearly 70 cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and extortion pending against him in several states.

Anees was detained by the Dubai authorities in 1996 but was later let off for want of evidence. He was again arrested in Bahrain in the late 90s but was later shifted to Dubai, from where he was released.

Anees also figures in the much talked of list of 20 criminals and terrorists handed over to Pakistan by the previous National Democratic Alliance government.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai police said it was also trying to verify if one of three persons detained by authorities at Jeddah airport is Anees Ibrahim.

"The only information that we have is that three persons have been detained at Jeddah but we have no confirmation on who they are," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria said.

"We are trying to verify their identity through our sources as well but who the persons are we presently do not know," he said.

    

Maria, who was among the main investigating officers in the 1993 serial blasts case, said Anees was wanted for his

role in planning the conspiracy.