Hubli, Feb 25: A lively and festive atmosphere prevailed among the family members of journalist Muthi-ur-Rahman Siddiqui following National Investigation Agency's verdict to release him. The family lives in a small house near Bandiwad Base in Hubli.
The special court of the NIA?is expected to give out a detailed written order on the release of Muthi and his room-mate Syed Yusuf Nalaband soon.
"The court order on his release has vindicated us. We thank Allah. We had total faith in Allah that our brother will be released from jail soon,” said Zia-ur-Rahman, brother of Muthi, who was among 15 men arrested in September 2012 in a controversial anti-terror operation by Bangalore CCB police.
“Muthi is a true Hindustani, and a good journalist. We could never think that he could do anything that was against the nation”, he said adding that they had never lost faith in the almighty because they knew that their brother was not guilty.
Zia-ur-Rahman also thanked the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which fought his brother's case.
Zia-ur-Rehman said his brother was proud to be a journalist and would continue his journalistic career event after his release. That even the country's highest investigative agency could not find any evidence against his brother only proved his innocence, he said.
Born on September 9, 1985, Muthi studied in a government Urdu school in Hubli, before moving to Hassan for SSLC. He joined Nehru College in Hassan for his PU course in science, but later moved to Karnataka College, Dharwad, for his BA degree. He became a reporter and translator in a newspaper in Dharward. Four years ago, he moved to Bangalore and later joined Deccan Herald English daily.
People who have known Muthi say he is a soft-spoken person serious about journalism, without any extremist beliefs, and is helpful to colleagues.
'Our pride is redeemed'
Another victim of Bangalore CCB police's controversial anti-terror operation, Syed Yusuf Nalaband, is a private company employee. A native of Bagalkot, Nalaband was staying with Muthi and four others in a residence at JC Nagar from where they were picked up in late August 2012.
Sakeena Bi, elder sister of Nalaband, said the family is rejoicing over his release. She said the court order had redeemed the family's pride. Sakeena said they had always known that Yusuf had committed no crime.
She said a flood of unverified and unsubstantiated allegations against her brother had left the family distraught. "His release has vindicated our faith in the system. A fair probe is possible when minorities are involved," Sakeena added.
She said Yusuf would continue to work in Bangalore, and they could now move about with their heads held high in Bagalkot.
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