The Ernakulam NIA Special Court on Friday remanded 1993 Mumbai blast conspirator Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya, prime accused in the Malappuram fake Indian currency notes case, in NIA custody till November 16.
Establishing his Pakistan links, the investigating officer - NIA, DySP P Vikraman, submitted before the court that as per the information given by the accused, the source of fake currencies has been identified as Ibrahim Bhai, a Pakisthan national.
Considering the gravity of the offence, the NIA sought custody of Tahir till November 16. “The wider conspiracy and the ultimate source of FICN are to be unearthed. Tahir raised funds with an intention to commit terror activities across the country. So custodial interrogation is absolutely necessary,” the NIA said.
Tahir, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, was brought to Kochi from Mumabi by the Jayanthi-Janatha Express at 4.30 am on Friday amidst heavy security. He was produced before the court at 10.30 am. NIA Special Judge S Vijaya Kumar asked NIA to ensure proper medical aid to the accused during custody.
The NIA revealed that Tahir handed over FICN of Rs 72.5 lakh with a face value of Rs 35 lakh to Muhammed Rafi of Chavakkad, eighth accused in the case. Tahir was working as Manager of Al-Safar Furnishing and Carpet Shop at Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “Muhammed Rafi along with Tahir, Kamaluddin, an accused in several FICN cases and Abdul Majeed raised funds from the Gulf countries and smuggled FICN to India to destabilise Indian economy since 2007. So section 17 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was also invoked against Tahir and others ,” the NIA said.
The other accused in the case are Mohammed Alshab, Abdul Malik, CP Sajin, Noushad, R K usman, Abdul Karim, Moosakutty alias Babu, Muhammed Rafi and Abdul Majid. Tahir is arraigned as tenth accused in the case. In the FICN case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on August 16, 2008 seized counterfeit notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations with a total of Rs 72.5 lakh from Mohammed Alshab, who arrived at Kozhikode airport from Ras al-Khaima.
Security forces including personnel from the Mumbai police were present when Tahir was produced before the court.