Relatives of Haryana’s Nuh Maulvi Hafiz Muhammad Ishtiaq and retired professor Ibrahim Abidi in Maharashtra’s Thane District firmly deny any links to terrorism
NUH/THANE – Families of two men arrested in connection with the Delhi blasts have strongly rejected all allegations, asserting that their loved ones are innocent and have no links to terrorism.
In Haryana’s Faridabad, the family of Maulvi Hafiz Muhammad Ishtiaq, arrested in connection with explosives linked to the Delhi blasts near the Red Fort, appealed for justice, insisting that he could not be involved in any criminal activity.
Ishtiaq, a resident of Sangar village in Nuh district, has been serving as an imam at the mosque of Al-Falah University campus in Faridabad for the past 20 years. He comes from a family of four brothers, all of whom lead prayers in various mosques and manage agricultural work at home.
Following Ishtiaq’s arrest, his brothers Hafiz Saddam and Hafiz Mubeen stated, “Ishtiaq could never have been involved in such acts. We urge the authorities to carry out a fair and transparent investigation.”
They added, “Ishtiaq had come to his native village to visit our elderly mother about two months ago. All the allegations against him are false. Al-Falah University provided him accommodation near the campus. We learned through the media that Dr Muzammil, who was living as a tenant in his house, has been arrested. Soon after, our brother was also detained. We have no information about his whereabouts and are completely out of touch with our family in the village.”
Meanwhile, in Mumbra of Maharashtra’s Thane district, the wife of retired professor Ibrahim Abidi also rejected claims linking her husband to the blast case. Mehjabeen Abidi, his second wife, said, “My husband has no connection with any terrorist activity or the accused.”
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) raided Ibrahim Abidi’s house on November 11, seizing mobile phones, hard disks, and laptops. The first wife’s house in Kurla was also searched.
Mehjabeen, a Tablighi teacher and Quran recitation instructor, explained, “The officers searched for about three hours but found nothing criminal. We have lodged a complaint with the police and will appeal in the high court. My husband worked as a professor in Byculla for 35 years before retiring. We have been living in Mumbra for the past five years.”
She added, “Ibrahim was taken into custody and brought to his first wife’s house in Kurla for questioning. The police seized our computer hard drive and mobile phone. Since then, we have not heard anything about his condition. Our entire family is very worried after his name was linked to the Delhi blasts. We will continue to seek justice through legal means.”
Neighbours of the Abidi family corroborated this account, saying they had never witnessed any conflict or troubling behaviour from the family.
The families’ statements underscore their fear, distress, and demand for due process, highlighting their long-standing service to the community, commitment to religious duties, and the need for careful and transparent investigation before public accusations.
