Hasan most protected after Kasab

Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan, who is in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering racket, is now the second most protected Arthur Road Jail inmate after Ajmal Kasab. Kasab is the lone terrorist captured alive during the November 26, 2008, attacks.

Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan, who is in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering racket, is now the second most protected Arthur Road Jail inmate after Ajmal Kasab. Kasab is the lone terrorist captured alive during the November 26, 2008, attacks.

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Khan was lodged in the maximum-security ‘anda cell’ following reports of a threat to his life.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Khan last month on the Supreme Court’s (SC’s) direction. The Income-Tax Department and ED had found $8 billion (Rs 36,000 crore) in Khan’s account in a Swiss bank.

Khan had appealed to the SC for protection at the jail and for his family in Pune as he feared a threat. “After considering Hasan’s handwritten letter, the SC ordered the Union of India as well as the state of Maharashtra to provide special protection to Khan and his family,” said IP Bagadia, Khan’s advocate.

Following the order, Khan was shifted to the anda cell. Khan is the second person to have been shifted to this cell after Kasab.

Confirming Khan was in the anda cell, Inspector General (Prisons) Surinder Kumar said: “He was shifted to the cell soon after the SC’s direction.”

Kumar said that if Khan’s lawyer wishes he could get the water at the jail checked. “The water is potable,” Kumar said.

He added that there were three doctors at the jail to attend to Khan in case he faced any problem. He was also taking his medicines regularly.