Wahid Kanakannavar, arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch and the Uttar Pradesh police for his alleged links with the outlawed Indian Mujahideen, was unemployed after passing his MBA with a first class.
Slapped with notices by the State Bank of Mysore (SBM) for defaulting on repaying an education loan of `2.9 lakh which he took from it in September 2007, he was desperately looking for a job.
“He was trying hard to repay the loan after he got a job with a mobile company,” says his family, which is shell-shocked by his arrest. His mother fainted on hearing the news. Parents of the other terror suspect, Mehboom Bagalkot broke down after he was taken into custody by the police. His arrest has come as a huge shock to the family as he is its only breadwinner, supporting his parents, three brothers and three sisters.
“It will be very difficult to run the family without my son who has been arrested. I cannot work as I have been a heart patient for the last 13 years. My son has no links with any extremist organisation and was only concerned about looking after our family. I want my son to be released after a speedy trial as he is an honest person”, said 65-year-old Saifuddin Bagalkot.
Meanwhile, his son’s arrest has surprised and distressed assistant conservator of forests Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed Solapuri, employed with the watershed department in Udupi. Married just two months ago, Jaffer Solapuri was the 104th rank holder in the CET and had been preparing to do his MS after completing his MBBS from the KIMS at Hubli.
“Ours is a conservative, reputed and patriotic family. We will fight for early release of my son,” said Mr Ahmed Solapuri, who had rushed to the city on hearing of his son’s arrest and met police officers to find out why they were taking him into custody.