Hoax caller tells cops that Qasab killed his wife and son in CST

"My wife and son were killed by Ajmal Qasab in CST and, hence, I am always on the lookout for terrorists and other such anti-social elements."

This was the story fed to the Crime Branch by a hoax caller, who led them on a wild goose chase even after his detention. Mahesh Ankush Labdhe (40), a resident of Uttan, Bhayander, called up the Thane control room several times on July 10, claiming that four people were in the city to trigger bomb blasts.

Representational Picture

"He made several calls to the Thane control room and said that four terrorists were going to trigger blasts at Lokhandwala complex and Prabhadevi's Century Bazaar before Independence Day. He told the control room that he knew the addresses of the terrorists," said Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Satardekar of the Crime Branch, Unit IX.

After spending a couple of sleepless nights, Crime Branch officials swung into action and decided to bring the caller in for questioning. They found out that the calls were made from Labdhe's cellphone, and they found him loitering near his house on Saturday.

When Labdhe was questioned about the calls, he fed the cops the Qasab story, and managed to gain their sympathy for some time. They realised pretty soon, however, that Labdhe has not one, but two wives, and a few kids, all of whom are alive and well. One of his wives stays with him in the city, and the other in his village.

Motive
Crime Branch officials said that Labdhe is unemployed and would support his family through odd jobs like fishing in Bhayander Creek. Four drug addicts would harass him regularly and snatch his money, and he had made the calls to teach them a lesson by getting them arrested. Officials added that he was also frustrated with his wife.

He was arrested under sections 182 (giving false information) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC, and was remanded in custody.