Ansari and Ahmed, two alleged Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives, were on Thursday produced before a magistrate's court where the Mumbai Police Crime Branch sought their custody from Uttar Pradesh police in connection with the murder of captain Ajay Singh Solanki.
Ansari, formerly a resident of Mumbai, and Sabauddin were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police for their alleged involvement in the attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Rampur on December 31, 2007.
The duo was brought to Mumbai from Lucknow in December 18 last year. When produced, Ansari alleged that three 'foreigners' had interrogated him in police custody.
Ansari's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi contended that his custody not be handed over to the police since foreign investigation agencies should not be allowed to interrogate him. However, Additional Public Prosecutor E B Dhamal argued that the Crime Branch needed additional custody to interrogate the duo regarding the incident.
After hearing arguments from both sides, additional chief metropolitan magistrate N Shrimangale remanded the duo in police custody.
Ansari and Sabauddin are alleged to have performed reconnaissance of locations in Mumbai that were targeted by terrorists on November 26.
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested for his involvement in the attacks, is also in police custody. The terrorists allegedly sailed into the Indian waters in a fishing vessel MV Kuber after hijacking it. Before entering the city in a dinghy on November 26, the terrorists allegedly killed the captain of the vessel.
