Mehdi's parents meet B'luru police commissioner

Parents of Mehdi Masroor Biswas, the pro-IS Twitter handler arrested by the City police, on Wednesday met Bangalore Police Commissioner M N Reddi and other senior officials.

The police had a long discussion with Mehdi’s parents on their son’s influences, daily habits and personal activities to get a clear picture of him. Even as his parents Mikhael Biswas and Mamtaz Begum claimed that their son was innocent, the police reasoned out with them what had led to his arrest.

“Mehdi’s parents met me and shared their apprehensions. I have promised them of unbiased, impartial, objective and speedy investigation,” Reddi told reporters. Mehdi’s parents were taken to an undisclosed location to meet their son after their meeting with the Commissioner.

Reddi said there are close to 1.30 lakh tweets police have to analyse. “We are planning to use a software to retrieve the digital data and analyse it as early as possible,” he added.

Asked whether international investigation agencies have approached the City police, Reddi told Deccan Herald that all investigation agencies are showing interest in the case as social media was used extensively for the first time. “So far, no international agency has approached the City police, but they might be in touch the Central government,” Reddi said.

On whether the investigation carried out so far indicated possible links of Mehdi with any terror groups in India or abroad, Reddi said: “The chance are 50-50.”

An officer investigating the case said the police are analysing the data as it is in Arabic language. The process is tedious and it will take much time for the police.
The police are planning to approach the court to extend the custody of Mehdi as it ends on Thursday. “We will require his custody as the investigation is still being carried out and will take a few more days."