Umar Gautam’s sick son picked up by UP ATS while on his way to hospital

Son of detained Islamic scholar Umar Gautam, Abdullah was picked up while his mother was taking him to a hospital in Noida on Saturday.

Talking to Clarion India on phone, Razia Gautam said, “We were on way to Fortis Hospital in Noida. UP Police intercepted us in Sector 37. They pulled a sick Abdullah out of our car and put him in police vehicle within two minutes.”

UP ATS issued a statement on Sunday, informing about the arrest of Abdullah in connection with investigation into the alleged “conversion racket” in which his father Umar Gautam is a prime accused.

The ATS alleged that Gautam’s son was in constant touch with other accused arrested in the case and he also received foreign funds through his account and distributed money to the converted people. The ATS further accused Abdullah of supporting the works of Gautam’s Islamic Dawah Center, according to Clarion India.

When Abdullah was being picked up, his elder brother was asked to sign a paper but he refused to sign it. His family members were asked to come to the Noida ATS office, Razia said adding that when they reached there, they were asked to sign the paper again and were informed that Abdullah is being taken to Lucknow.

Refuting the allegations levelled against her son, Razia told the media, “There is no truth in the claim. Abdullah is just a student who was helping his own father.”

“My son suffers from hepatitis. He follows a strict diet regime and eats only at home. If he eats food taken from outside, he starts vomiting. Besides, his both eyes were recently operated upon,” she added.

When asked if her son was getting treatment after the arrest, Razia told Clarion India that she had no information about it as family members and lawyers were not allowed to meet him. Therefore, they’re unaware of the current health status of Abdullah.

Razia said that Abdullah got admission in MBA programme recently and after the arrest, his education and career could be destroyed.

“They could even arrest us. My entire family could be put behind bars. We are also under threat. We are not able to understand why they are doing all this to our family,” she told the media.

Expressing grave concern over the arrest, Umar Gautam’s Lawyer, advocate Abu Bakar Sabbaq said that Abdullah was picked up without any notice and it is nothing but kidnapping. He accused the ATS of not following the procedures for arresting the accused in the case.

“Police conduct raises many questions. What is their goal?” Sabbaq questioned, adding, “They are giving all information to the media. When there is a court, it should be presented there. There is an effort to destroy the image through the media.”

Talking about Gautam son Abdullah’s role in the case, he said “He has no involvement in this case. If his account was used for receiving funds, there is already a case in this regard with the ED (Enforcement Directorate).”

Pointing out that Abdullah was cooperating in the investigation from the very beginning, Sabbaq said that whenever he was called by the ATS, he went there and recorded his statement. Yet, he was arrested, Sabbaq lamented.

(Inputs from Clarion India)

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