AP to provide legal aid to cleric held by Gujarat police

Hyderabad, July 2 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minority Welfare and Energy Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir today said the government would provide 'legal aid' to Maulana Ashrafali, a cleric and an important witness for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Haren Pandya murder case.

Maulana was held by the Gujarat police two-days ago in the city.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Shabbir said the government was ready to provide legal assistance to Ashrafali. He was nabbed by the Gujarat police as an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Alleging that the cleric's name was included in the Haren Pandya murder case during the NDA regime at the Centre and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rule in the state to create fear among the Muslims, he said the government would provide help to the cleric.

Mr Ashrafali was arrested for providing shelter to Maulana Sufiya Patangia and Sohail Khan, who were absconding in the murder case.

UNI