THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a breakthrough in the probe into the mysterious disappearance of 21 persons, a police team arrested a spiritual leader Arshi Qureshi from Mumbai on Thursday. Even as top police officials preferred to be tight-lipped about the matter, it was reliably learnt that Qureshi was held in a joint operation by the Kerala and Mumbai police with the support of intelligence agencies.
The Kochi city police had registered a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Mr Qureshi along with Palakkad-native Yahya aka Bestin Vincent earlier this week based on a complaint filed by Mariyam’s brother Ebin Jacob.
Mariyam, who was earlier known by the name Merin Jacob, was alleged forced by Qureshi and Yahya to convert ot Islam. She was taken to various spiritual centres and persuaded to join extremist outfits, Ebin had alleged. Police is expecting to have a major breakthrough in the probe now. International intelligence agencies were also trying to track the whereabouts of the 21.
