Don’t know what Abdul Subhan Qureshi did, he was not in touch with me, says father

Mohammad Usman Qureshi co-operated with policemen who came to his residence, following Abdul’s arrest

“Abdul is my eldest son, but he was not in touch with me,” said Mohammad Usman Qureshi, the ailing 75-year-old father of Abdul Qureshi, the terrorist arrested by the Delhi special cell from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Abdul Subhan Qureshi. (HT File)

Usman, his wife, daughter and son live in an apartment on the sixth floor of Highland Building in Nayanagar area of Mira Road (East). Dressed in a white kurta, he stood up with great difficulty, holding a urine bag while talking to reporters on Monday. He said he has to undergo an operation, but financial constraints pose a challenge. He also co-operated with policemen who came to his residence, following Abdul’s arrest.

“I came to Mumbai from Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh more than five decades ago and was staying in Masjid Bander in South Mumbai. We bought a flat in Mira Road and moved there 15 years ago,” he said.

Usman said he was unaware of Abdul’s arrest. “I have had no contact with Abdul. I do not know what he does or what he used to do. I am unaware of the charges against him,” he said.

Abdul’s mother Zubeida refused to speak to reporters. She shut the door, weeping.