Matunga executive who was framed in drugs-gun-planting case loses his job

There seems to be no end to the problems for Matunga man Faqrudin Sayyed, who was arrested along with his friend last week in a drugs-and-gun planting case, even though the duo has been found innocent. In fresh trouble for him, Sayyed has lost his job as a sales team leader in a reputable mobile company, where he was working for the past eight years.

Sayyed's family, friends and colleagues have demanded his release so that he gets back his job and respect. His colleagues told mid-day that they were trying to get the job back for him, as he is innocent. However, main accused Nicolas Pandian alias Nikki, who is a drug dealer in Dharavi, is still absconding.

Faqrudin Sayyed and Gopal Mooponr

Sayyed's brother and friends told mid-day that due to the police's mistake, both he and his friend Gopal Mooponr were still behind bars and that they should be released immediately. However, the Shahu Nagar cops have asked their families to apply for bail. Reacting to this, senior lawyer Nitin Satpute said that the police had the power to release them under section 169 of CrPC but they were misusing it.

Speaking to mid-day, Sayyed's brother Sadik Sayyed said, "After my brother was arrested, I received a call from his office saying that he had been terminated from service. I told them that he has been framed in a false case but the person on the other side said it was a company policy and if any employee was arrested, he/she should be terminated immediately. I even requested them to retain him."

Requesting anonymity, a senior of Sayyed from the company said, "Sayyed joined our company around eight years back. He was one of the best employees and had fulfilled many targets. Suddenly he got arrested and the seniors decided to terminate him. We are all trying to ensure that he is retained but it depends on the higher authority. Through mid-day's reports we got to know that he is innocent."

Another employee said, "Sayyed is very helpful and friendly by nature. At first we couldn't believe that drugs and a gun were found at his house, but now he has been proved innocent. We are all with him and are trying to convince the higher-ups to give him the job back."

"We are waiting for his release so that he can return to office and join us again. We all want him to get the job back," said another colleague.

Sayyed's friend Parmesh Maitri said, "Both our friends are innocent and they should be released from jail. The cops framed them in a false case. We are trying for Sayyed to get back his job because all of this shouldn't affect his career. Even Gopal's cable and Internet business has been affected because of this. Police should release them and apologise as well."