Maharashtra minister Fauzia Khan denies links with Abu Jundal

MUMBAI: A senior Maharashtra minister today denied any links with the arrested LeT handler of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, Abu Jundal, and said she is ready to face any probe.

NCP leader and Minister of State for Education Fauzia Khan said "I am not aware who he is, where is he from. If he is a terrorist and is working against the country, it is good news that he has been arrested," she told reporters.

"I will extend all cooperation in the investigation and I am ready to face any such probe," the minister said.

Khan hails from Parbhani district in Marathwada region. Asked if she was aware that Abu Jundal hailed from Beed, also in Marathwada region, the minister said "I am not aware of who he is and where he is from."

On if there was any truth in reports that the 26/11 handler had stayed in her MLA hostel room, Khan said "I am only aware that such allegations were made. I don't know anything beyond that."

"This issue was raised in the July 2006 legislature session. I had then given my personal clarification on the issue. Even the then Home Minister had also clarified that there was not an iota of truth in such reports," she said.

The minister's remarks today came after allegations that Jundal, an Indian mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, allegedly spent a day in a room belonging to Khan, then an MLC, at the old Legislators' hostel near the state secretariat in 2009.

"Many people stay at my government accommodation and it is not possible for me to be aware of the credentials of everyone of them," she said.

"I have no idea why my name is being dragged into this," she said.