Hasan Ali lodged in high security "anda cell"

MUMBAI: Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, arrested on charges of stashing away billions of dollars in foreign banks and tax evasion, has been lodged in the high security "anda cell", making him the second most secured inmate in the Arthur Road jail after Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.

Khan has been lodged in the "anda cell" as he claimed to have been facing death threats and also receiving threats from Kolkata businessman Kashinath Tapuria, a co-accused arrested in the money laundering case, jail sources said today.

On confining Khan in the special cell, Inspector General (Prisons) Surinder Kumar said, "Assessing the seriousness of the threat Khan is facing, he was put in this special cell. Khan is not being allowed to mingle with other inmates and as per the court orders, he is getting home-made food."

Khan was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 17 after the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to him by a trial court. For seven days, Khan was in ED's custody and then shifted to Arthur Road jail.

In March last week, Khan alleged he was getting threats from Tapuria.

"Khan is facing serious criminal charges and we do not want to take any risk when it comes to his security," Surinder added.