CBI arrests Maudany aide in cheating case

The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a man, said to be a close aide of People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasir Maudany, here on Friday night in a cheating case in Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Maudany, the prime accused in the 2008 Bangalore blasts case, is now lodged in the Bangalore Central Jail.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said the arrest of the 52-year-old Mohammed Abdul Azeez had nothing to do with the Bangalore serial blasts. He reportedly flew in here on a Dubai flight to help out in Mr. Maudany's bail proceedings.

Soon after the arrest by a team of CBI officials from Tamil Nadu in the Majestic area around 7.30 p.m., Azeez was taken to an unidentified location for questioning. A top CBI official told The Hindu that Azeez had left the country and was known to be living in Dubai. His name also figured on the Interpol red corner notice. The CBI officials confiscated his passport, money, cellphone and his contact diary, which contained several details of key PDP leaders including Mr. Maudany.

Meanwhile, the Kerala police and the Intelligence Bureau alerted the Bangalore and Ramanagaram police that several Maudany associates were flocking to Bangalore after he was moved to the Central Jail. Several of his aides had arrived at Byadarahalli in Ramanagaram district, the police were told.