New Delhi, Aug 03: Arrested Jamiat-ul Mujahideen militant Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh has revealed that he had come to the National Capital to pick up money for fire-brand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah geelani as he wanted to float his political outfit urgently. Quoting the interrogation report of the militant, official sources said that Sheikh was deputed allegedly by Geelani to the Capital to collect the money from ISI agents as his differences with the Hurriyat Conference had widened further and he wanted to announce formation of new political front as soon as possible.

Sheikh, who was arrested along with Saifuddin Bhat on July 31, was sent to judicial custody by a city court yesterday. Police had also seized Rs 10 lakh from the duo along with a fake current totalling to Rs three lakh.

Geelani, however, has denied the charge but acknowledged that he knew the two.

Sheikh stated that he was only instrumental in receiving the money but alleged that Ashraf Bhatt, close aide of Geelani, had arranged the money for the duo.

Meanwhile, a team of Delhi Police would leave for Srinagar soon to question Geelani and Bhatt as both of them were named by the duo in the interrogation, the sources said.
Bhatt is alleged to have talked to a Pakistani contact and fixed the meeting for the duo to receive money before flying back to Srinagar, the sources said.

Although tight-lipped, security agencies were also probing the links of Sheikh with a former Union Cabinet minister.

Bureau Report