The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Asif’s father pleads his innocence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Asif’s father pleads his innocence

Staff Reporter

Asif does not have many friends
‘He has been a meritorious student all along’

Mohammed Khader Moiuddin

BANGALORE: Ever since he arrived in the city from Raichur on Sunday, Mohammed Khader Moiuddin has not stopped giving interviews to television channels and newspapers pleading the innocence of his son Mohammed Asif. “I have not had a break since I came here in the morning. I have been pleading for help in meeting my son with whom I have not spoken a word since January 30.”

Mr. Moiuddin has been relentlessly pleading the case of his son, one of the two students accused of being associated with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India.

“I have a heart problem. Giving interviews one after another has increased my blood pressure. I have very little money.”

Mr. Moiuddin is clearly exhausted as he gives one interview after another since Sunday. He was in the Bangalore Press Club along with his cousins, Noor Mohammed and Mohammed Riyaz, on Monday.

Mr. Moiuddin is confident that his son is innocent. “He has been a meritorious student all along. Even after they made all those accusations, he wrote his MBBS exam. If he had any links with any terrorist group he would have run away. Even my neighbours are surprised over the charges. Mr. Moiuddin also relies on the good character certificate issued by the Director of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, every year.

The agonised father, who works in a jewellery shop, says: “We are not from a wealthy family. Asif, who got a free seat, managed his educational expenses of Rs. 40,000 by securing loan. The character certificate is necessary for the sanction of loans from the Minority Department and Islamic Students Fund.”

Dismissing the charges that his son’s education was being financed by a Saudi Arabian bank, he says Asif was let off by the Honnali police who initially suspected him of stealing vehicles. They later arrested him and accused him of being associated with terrorist groups.

Mr. Moiuddin’s cousin Mohammed adds: “There is nothing to prove this. You cannot make such serious charge based on religious literature and some CDs found in his room. These are commonly found in houses of many devout Muslims.”

Asif is a loner, Mr. Mohammed says, and does not have many friends. “While making friendship you will not know what the other person is.”

Mr. Moiuddin says his son has been deprived of legal assistance in Hubli as his advocate is not being allowed by fellow advocates to plead for bail. The police are taking him to many places in State without informing the family members. “He needs our support while facing narco analysis.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka