“Gifts from the Gulf” continues…

Our Consulate in Dubai had put me up at Hotel Sheraton Jumeirah Beach with spectacular views of the waterfront except that I had no time to stand and stare. It so happened that a horde of press reporters from Delhi were staying in the same hotel to cover an international conference. I ran into one of them in the hotel lobby. The word of my presence spread amongst others. They all wanted to know what was going on and what had brought me to Dubai. Somehow, I could ward them off saying I was there for an Interpol meeting.

On the morning of February 9 I was taking a walk on the cornice near the hotel when I was informed by my Director that a special aircraft of the Government of India was on its way to Dubai. I was ecstatic. When the flight arrived later the same day, a CBI team of five officers headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police AK Gupta of Interpol, Delhi deputed to assist me was brought by the Consulate staff to the same hotel where I was staying. I briefed the officers that they had to lie low and, as far as possible, stay indoors.

The following morning i.e. 10th February we were driven to a relatively less used terminal of the Dubai International Airport in Consulate vehicles. Reserved for chartered planes and flights leaving for Pakistan, it wore a deserted and eerie look. In fact, it was this terminal where Aftab had been arrested before he could board a flight to Islamabad. We were seated in the VIP lounge of the terminal not sure of what was going to happen next and when.

To be continued…