India had been pushing for Fasih Mehmood's deportation for the past six months, reports Vicky Nanjappa, but required much coaxing before the Saudi authorities were convinced.Alleged terror suspect Fasih Mehmood,
left, was deported to India on Monday, and the Delhi police has taken him into its custody.
India had been pushing for Mehmood's deportation for the past six months, but required much coaxing before the Saudi Arabia government was convinced about the Indian request.
Mehmood, 28, an engineer, was working in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, before his name allegedly cropped up in cases related to terrorism.
His name first appeared during the investigation into the 2010 blast at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy stadium.
It was during the interrogation of Kafeel Akhtar -- an accused in the case -- that Mehmood was first mentioned. The police claim there are call records to show that the two men were in touch with each other.
Mehmood's name gained importance for Indian law enforcement after they discovered the engineer had his roots in Darbhanga, Bihar which, the Intelligence Bureau claims, is the new headquarters for the Indian Mujahideen terror group.
Although Mehmood was not in India at the time of the Chinnaswamy stadium blast, the police suspect he may have assisted the IM with money.
The police will also investigate if he has any connections with the IM's modules in the United Arab Emirates. Investigators will also probe if he has been in contact with IM leaders Riyaz and Yasin Bhatkal.
Mehmood is said to have completed his education in Bhatkal, Karnataka, and may have come into contact with some IM operatives there, the police suspect.
Although India currently
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shares a good relationship with Saudi Arabia, the Saudi government is extremely particular that all details are furnished before any deportation takes place.