HYDERABAD, Jan 5: A villager of Goth Wali Mohammad Leghari, Deh Garhi Piri, Matli Taluka, Badin district, Ghano Khan Leghari has claimed that his, son Ali Nawaz Leghari, who was arrested by the Sanghar police as a RAW agent, was absolutely innocent and he was never ever involved in any subversive activities.

Speaking at a news conference along with his brother, Mohammad Hassan Leghari, at the Hyderabad Press Club here on Saturday, Ghano Khan Leghari said that on Dec 25, 2001, his son had gone to Goth Mir Hassan Mari, near Tando Adam, to condole with Ali Dino Khaskheli on the death of his father from where he was picked up by Sanghar police on Dec 26 along with 15 other persons.

He said that only four persons, including his son, were detained on the charges of being RAW agents while the remaining persons were released.

He said that his son was a primary school teacher and he had nothing to do with the bomb case, which was placed on the railway track.

He said that his son had never ever visited any foreign country. He said his son was father of seven children and he had never slapped a student in the school.

He said his son had been mercilessly tortured by the police to extract confession from him and added that no family member had been allowed to meet him.

He appealed to the government to order an inquiry into the incident by a high court judge and to send his son to the judicial custody.

Answering a question as to why his son was singled out as a RAW agent, he said all that he could say was that his son had been made a scapegoat.

To another question, he said no FIR had ever been registered against his son or any other member of the family.

He appealed higher authorities for the justice.

Two minor sons of Ali Nawaz Leghari were also present in the press conference.