Date:29/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/29/stories/2006122916840300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`By Allah's grace, my son is back'

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: It was a phone call from Imran Baig at 4.30 a.m. on Thursday that brought the much-needed relief to his mother Fahima.

"Prayers by family members and me have been answered. By the grace of Allah, my son has returned home safe." These brief words came from Ms. Fahima after she had a traumatic time following her eldest son's disappearance three days ago. "I prayed and prayed as much as possible hoping for this news," she told The Hindu.

"I have spoken to him, but I will be fully relieved only when I receive and hug Immu," she said, a few minutes before Imran's arrival at his house in Annasandrapalya near HAL Post Office.

It was the most difficult period for Fahima and her family members. "This was the first time in our lives that one of us has visited a police station," her relative Riyaz said, referring to Sher Ali's interaction with the police.

For three days, Fahima did not cook and except for the children, nobody in the family had any food.

Sleepless nights

Mr. Sher Ali was all the time accompanied by six of his relatives, who along with him spent three sleepless nights.

Mr. Riyaz said they had suspected Chand Pasha's involvement in the kidnapping from the beginning.

"We feel Imran was targeted as his father owned two houses, a Santro car and a motorcycle. The kidnappers must have thought he had a lot of money," he said.

The family did not have the money and were contemplating pledging their property. Thankfully he was rescued, the family members said.