Blast convict says jail official cheated Mumbai University

Ehtesham Siddiqui, a death convict in the July 2006 Mumbai serial train-blasts case, has claimed that a senior official of Arthur Road jail who is enrolled in an LLB course has cheated the Mumbai University. Siddiqui alleged that deputy superintendent Harshad Ahirrao made him do the assignments given as part of the course and has now got the clearance to appear in exams at Lala Lajpat Rai Law College despite not fulfilling the mandatory 75% attendance. Siddiqui has written letters to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai University and the Mumbai police commissioner.

Alleging that Mr Ahirrao had not attended classes at the college regularly, Siddiqui said he decided to tell the truth because he regrets doing the official’s assignments during February 2016. However, Mr Ahirrao and the Lala Lajpat Rai Law College’s principal Smita Karve, denied the allegations.

Siddiqui in his letter, a copy of which is with The Asian Age, said, “When the lectures were held in college, he (Ahirrao) was in the Mumbai Central Prison, then how did he mark his attendance ”The letter has alleged the officer cheated the MU.

Mr Ahirrao said, “We are in the process of transferring Ehtesham from this court to some other court because he gets in touch with persons arrested in connection with their links with ISIS and provokes them. Now frustrated with the decision of transfer from this jail he is making these wild allegations.”

Ms Karve said, “Ahirrao is attending classes but when he is on duty we give him relaxation and it is not possible that somebody else can do any student’s assignment.” She said the officer has appeared for practical exams too.