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(Above) The new sketch of Riyaz Bhatkal

Mumbai Crime Branch officials feel they now have a clear picture of Indian Mujahideen (IM) mastermind Riyaz Bhatkal. After questioning several IM suspects, investigating agencies have come to a conclusion that Bhatkal has changed his appearance to avoid arrest.

Crime Branch sources informed that they have a new sketch of Bhatkal, which would help them nab the mastermind. The sketch was drawn by a group of senior artists from a recognised institute in south Mumbai and will be circulated to all leading investigating agencies across the country.

The new sketch and a series of electronic tracking records may help the police close in on Bhatkal, who, they fear, is holed up in West Bengal and could slip into Bangladesh. The central intelligence agencies are verifying his telephonic records before closing in on him. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria was not available for comment.

The investigating agencies are also trying to decode the word 'Guest House'. They stumbled upon the word while questioning Bhatkal's associates and felt it could be linked to other members of the module.

Police are also planning to question Raju Soni in connection with his involvement in car thefts in the past few years. Soni is close to Afzal Usmani, one of the founder members of IM. While Usmani sold stolen cars in Gujarat, Soni ran a syndicate of agents dealing with stolen cars sold with fake documents. Soni has been arrested earlier in connection with circulating counterfeit currency and fake stamps.