“The Return Gift (Arrest and Deportation of Roshan Ansari)” continues…

Meanwhile, the Dubai authorities had put telephones of Roshan’s contacts, relatives and well- wishers under technical surveillance. On one such number, a call was received from two Bangalore numbers whose last three digits were not displayed on the monitor of Dubai Police’s tapping equipment. A lady calling herself Saira who, according to Dubai authorities, was none other than Roshan, had made those calls. I asked Virendra to proceed to Bangalore as further follow-up would require contact at senior levels. Virendra, in turn, suggested I get a Deportation Order from the Ministry of Home Affairs which might come handy if Roshan was located.

On April 11, 2002 I paid a visit to the office of Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in Khan Market, New Delhi. In a manner of speaking, I had no locus in the matter as I was no longer with the CBI and had nothing in writing asking me to participate in the operation. But, sometimes, one does come across positive-minded officers in the government who want things got done and don’t raise unnecessary bureaucratic issues. I was asked by the officer concerned to make a request in writing which I did. I got the Deportation Order in just about fifteen minutes as I waited in the Joint Secretary’s office. I faxed a copy to Virendra immediately.

Virendra proceeded to Bangalore and established contact with senior officials of the local police seeking assistance to locate the address provided by the Dubai Police where ‘Saira’ resided. After showing considerable reluctance, the Bangalore Police provided their support, including women police officers, to the CBI team. On reaching the given address, a lady called Saira was found residing there but it was not Roshan. She admitted that she was distantly related to Roshan but knew nothing of her whereabouts. Local enquiries confirmed her statement and the CBI team had no option but to retreat. It was a bit of a setback but Virendra soldiered on.

To be continued…