Abdul Gani Turk, convicted by a Terrorist and Disruptive (Activities) Act court last week for his alleged involvement in the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993, is from the port town of Veraval near Somnath in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. His brother Gafar Turk and five sisters still live there.

Gafar is said to be a simple, God-fearing man and lives in a rented house in Jamadar Street in Veraval. A labourer, he is not even aware that his brother has been found guilty for his key role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

This, however, is not very surprising because Abdul has not been in touch with his family since he left Veraval several years ago.

He spent some time in Muscat and Dubai and eventually settled down in Mumbai about 20 years back. It is widely believed that he headed for the Gulf countries only after being promised a good, luxurious life by Dawood Ibrahim [Images] and Tiger Memon.

Abdul's late father Ismail Turk managed to make ends meet by working in Veraval's timber bazaar. All of Abdul's five sisters - Jenam, Ameena, Ayesha, Mariam and Bibi - are married and live in Veraval.

Neither Gafar nor any of his sisters has heard anything from Abdul since he left their hometown, said sources.