Is this the final piece in Matunga drugs-and-gun-planting case jigsaw?

Sayyed and Mooponr being welcomed after their release

The main accused in the Matunga drugs-and-gun-planting case has told the Crime Branch that the drugs recovered from Labour Camp resident Faqrudin Sayyed's home were a mixture of Ajinomoto, a flavour enhancer, and Crocin. Nicolas Pandian claims that he and the planter Naeem Qureshi wanted to make some quick bucks and thought the police would reward them, said a source. The Crime Branch has sent the recovered material for forensic analysis.

The Shahu Nagar police had earlier arrested Sayyed and his friend Gopal Mooponr after they claimed that they had recovered 485 grams of MD and a country-made revolver. Both were later found to be innocent after it was established that the contraband and the firearm were planted at Sayyed's home. Nicolas is accused of stalking Sayyed's fiancee. He wanted the two to break up.

Nicolas Pandian, main accused

The Crime Branch took over the case from Shahu Nagar police on the orders of city police chief Hemant Nagrale.

Citing the disclosures of the accused so far, a Crime Branch source said Qureshi, who was a police informer, had told Nicolas that he had run up debts and wanted to pay them off. It was then Nicolas suggested that he trap Sayyed and earn a reward from the cops. Nicolas also told Qureshi that he would facilitate Sayyed's release by taking money which can also be split between them.

Sayyed (right) and his friend Mooponr after their release from jail on December 5. Pic/Bipin Kokate

"Qureshi first ordered a country-made revolver, but Nicolas told him the weapon alone won't attract serious charges. Nicolas said if they can trap Sayyed in a drugs case, then his family would be desperate for his release. The two bought Ajinomoto and Crocin from the market, ground them to make powder," said the source referring to the interrogation of the two.

Qureshi bought a box and gift wrapping paper. He went to the Sayyed's home and first handed it over to a paanwala on the ground floor.

"Nicolas was watching all this. He told Qureshi that by the time Sayyed reached home, the shop would be closed and their plan would be ruined. Qureshi then placed the box inside Sayyed's home," said the source, adding that Qureshi had told the police that he had information about a drug deal at Labour Camp. Qureshi had told the police that he would call them once the deal was done, said the source.

A Crime Branch officer told mid-day, "Nicolas's father was into drug peddling. Nicolas knew that if drugs were found in commercial quantities, Sayyed would be in jail for a long time and he could start an affair with Sayyed's fiancee."

The officer added, "The seized drugs have been sent to the Kalina forensic lab for examination. We have requested the lab to report the matter at the earliest."

While the Shahu Nagar police had pressed stringent charges against Sayyed and Mooponr, a series of reports by mid-day mounted the pressure on the department to get to the root of the case and arrested Nicolas and Qureshi.

The two were remanded to 14-days judicial custody on Monday.