Zee Media Bureau/Manisha Singh
New Delhi: In what could be termed as an embarrassment for the Samajwadi Party, its leader Abu Azmi has been reported to have links with an Indian Mujahideen operative Sultan Ahmed Faizan deported from Sharjah on Friday.
As per reports, Faizan worked with Azmi in 1980s in a placement agency that sent people to Saudi Arabia, as per his interrogation. He was detained in Dubai in February this year and later deported.
However, Azmi, who is SP`s leader in Mumbai, told a leading daily that though he knew Faizan well, he was not aware of his activities in recent times.
Faizan, 55, is a resident of Azamgarh and is said to be a close associate of underworld don Abu Salem. He is accused of being involved in the 2008 Delhi serial blasts.
He was also said to be the main conduit of IM in Dubai where he was involved in connecting recruits with bosses in Pakistan. At the same time, he is said to have helped in providing shelter to fugitive IM operatives and arranging finances for IM.
Reports have been doing the rounds that Faizan and Azmi knew each other from Azamgarh. And that they worked together in the placement agency in Mumbai in mid 80s. Later Faizan shifted to Dubai.
In Dubai he opened a laundry together with other businesses.
Nonetheless, as per reports, it is not yet clear if Azmi was in touch with him after Faizan joined Indian Mujahideen.
Meanwhile, Azmi told ANI that he can never have links with anyone who has harmed nation or is associated with terrorism.
He also said that an enquiry can be held against him, but they would find his `love for the nation and nothing else`.
Azmi was also accused by Mumbai police of helping 1993 blasts accused flee the country with the help of his travel agency. Later he was discharged by the court.
