Ajmer Dargah Khadim Gauhar Chisti, arrested earlier by Rajasthan Police from Hyderabad, not only met the prime accused in the Udaipur beheading case before the ghastly incident but was also a member of several Pakistani WhatsApp groups and is suspected to be part of sleeper cells formations module.

At least three mobile phones recovered from him have been sent for forensic analysis. Many mobile data had been deleted by Chisti, his interrogation has revealed.

During his hiding in Hyderabad, he was communicating with family and friends in coded language.

When questioned by the police on his hateful speech for beheading those indulging in blasphemy, he did not deny the content of his radical call and told the sleuths that it was a ‘jumla’, officials connected with the probe said.

Meanwhile, an official of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has contacted the Rajasthan police for leads generated out of Chisti’s questioning.

Chisti’s likely linkages with radical outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and his connection with the Udaipur killers are also being probed.

Chisti was recently nabbed by Rajasthan police from Hyderabad where he was hiding at his friend Amanullah’s residence. Chisti’s associate Amanullah has also been arrested by the Rajasthan police.

Chisti was staying in Hyderabad under disguise with a trimmed beard and was nabbed by Rajasthan police in association with Hyderabad police following a tip-off.

Rajasthan police probe has revealed that there was transaction of over Rs 20 lakh in his bank account in the run up to the beheading incident in Udaipur on June 28.

The probe so far has revealed that Chisti was in touch with the two prime accused, Riyaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad, in the beheading of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur and even met them before the ghastly incident. Sources said the NIA is likely to soon take custody of Chisti as part of the probe into the beheading of Kanhaiya Lal Teli.

The NIA has already searched certain areas around the Ajmer Dargah in connection with the probe into the Udaipur killing case.

Chisti is accused of giving a call for beheading of those indulging in blasphemy and had subsequently fled to Hyderabad. His father Sarwar Chisti is also accused of hateful speech.