Mumbra: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator and group leader of the Thane Municipal Corporation, Sarfaraz Khan alias Saif Pathan, has lodged a complaint with Mumbra Police, stating that he received a phone call from a mobile number (xxx) at around 4:15 pm on September 17.

The caller identified himself and claimed to be his well-wisher. He said that he was buying pizza from a shop called “3AM Pizza.” Meanwhile, a person sitting at the counter of the shop was allegedly speaking to another person over the phone. According to the caller, during the conversation, serious remarks, including statements allegedly threatening the lives of Saif Pathan and Najeeb Mulla, were being made.

According to Saif Pathan, he told the caller that if he was genuinely concerned about his safety, he should come to his office and provide complete details. The man subsequently reached his office at around 4:42 pm and narrated the entire incident.

According to the man, he had ordered pizza from 3AM Pizza. He allegedly heard the person sitting at the shop counter saying over the phone: “Go underground because of Saif Pathan and Najeeb Mulla, let four people go, take Saif down, attack him and get the job done properly.”

When the man objected to the conversation and asked why such things were being said about Saif Pathan, he was allegedly told to mind his own business. Concerned about Saif Pathan’s safety, the man obtained his mobile number through a source and immediately called him to inform him about the matter.

Saif Pathan said that he again asked the man for the name of the pizza shop, and the man confirmed that it was 3AM Pizza. According to Saif Pathan, based on his information, a person named Moin Hussain was present at the shop counter at the time.

AIMIM leader Saif Pathan has demanded that the police:

• Immediately obtain the CCTV footage of 3AM Pizza and take it into police custody for investigation, so that it can be verified who was present at the counter at the time of the incident and who visited the shop.
• Question Moin, who was allegedly present at the counter at the time, as well as other relevant individuals, in accordance with legal procedures.
• Conduct a serious investigation into the alleged conversation concerning him and, if evidence of any offence or criminal conspiracy emerges during the investigation, register an FIR against the concerned individuals and take strict legal action as per law.

Saif Pathan said he fears that there may be a conspiracy to kill him or falsely implicate him in a criminal case. He therefore demanded an impartial investigation into the role of anyone who may be involved in such a conspiracy.

He also demanded that the identity and statement of the person who called and provided the important information be kept confidential and that he be provided appropriate protection in accordance with the law. According to Saif Pathan, the person is an Ola driver and provided the information out of concern for his safety. Saif Pathan said he does not want the person to face any kind of threat, pressure or harm in the future because of his complaint.

Saif Pathan said that, as a newly elected corporator, he has been continuously working for the rights of the people in his area and for civic issues. He said he has repeatedly raised his voice before the concerned departments regarding the reservation plot and other civic issues in Mumbra and has previously submitted various complaints and representations in this regard.

He said that, given his public activities, any possibility of threats, pressure or a criminal conspiracy against him should be taken seriously.

Saif Pathan expressed the hope that the police would conduct an immediate, impartial and serious investigation into the complaint.