The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing fake Indian currency note (FICN) cases in the state suspects that Haji Abdul Rahman, a major dealer of counterfeit notes in Kerala, has played a prominent role in the Kasargod FICN case also. Abdul Rahman is also a close relative of an accused in the Mumbai serial blasts.
According to NIA officials, Abdul Rahman, 58, of Nafeesath Manzil, Muttamthala, Kolabayal in Kanjangad, is still at large and hiding out a safe place in Gulf countries. Haji Abdul Rahman is an absconding accused of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act. A lookout notice had already been released by the Subrahmaniapuram Police Station, Mangalore, in connection with the FICN case.
“Earlier he used to smuggle silver from Dubai to India. Pakki Iqbal, presently in jail in Maharashtra for being an accused in the Mumbai serial blast case, is his sonin- law’s brother,” the sources said.
The NIA believe that Haji Abdul Rahman is still operating from Dubai. The Pakistan-printed FICNs came to Kerala and Karnataka through Haji Abdul Rahman. “He uses unemployed South Indian youth in Dubai as carriers. For carrying FICNs, he offers the carriers flight tickets from Dubai to India and back and also some percentage as commission,” the NIA sources said.
Abdul Rahman mostly wears Pakistani dress and is known as ‘Amitab Bhachan’ among racketeers. Haji is wanted in three cases, including the Nedumbassery FICN case. Sanal Kumar, Haji Abdul Rahman and Mohammad Rafi are still absconding in the Nedumbassery case, in which a person was caught with FICNs of the face value of Rs 24.16 lakh, in denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, at Nedumbassery airport in March 10, 2010.
Haji’s role in Kasargod FICN case has been revealed in an intelligence report, the sources said.
According to the FIR of the Kasargod case, the primary case was registered in Chanthera police station in January 2012, after eight fake notes in the denomination of Rs 500, having face value of Rs 4,000, was given by A M Subaida at Pilicode KSEB office for getting electricity connection. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint registered by the assistant engineer of Pilicode.
Later, it was found that FICNs of the face value of Rs 31 lakh were smuggled through Mangalore airport from Dubai. Two other cases were registered at Chanthera police station and one at Hosdurg police station, related to the first case. The NIA sources said one of the main accused, Moideen, in the case has links with Haji Abdul Rahman. “Moideen is also absconding.
The NIA will soon arrest Moideen. It is expected that more evidence against Abdul Rahman can be brought up, if Moideen is arrested,” the sources said. The other two accused -- Majeed and Mammoonji -- who are also absconding, are also part of hawala racket. Moideen is the main accused and was allegedly involved in smuggling of FICNs printed in Pakistan and then circulating it in various parts of the state.