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Major blow to Dawood Ibrahim gang |
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In a major blow to mafia don Dawood Ibrahim, 10 members of his gang were arrested by the Mumbai police on Tuesday, Nov. 21 after being deported from the United Arab Emirates. Some of them were wanted in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts alleged to have been master-minded by Dawood Ibrahim. Observers say that the deportation is a personal blow to Dawood Ibrahim’s chief lieutenant, Chhota Shakil since three of those sent back to India are his close relatives.
Arif Aboobakar Shaikh (43), who is known as Bhaijaan in underworld circles, is the husband of Shakeel’s sister. Shahid Miya Nathu Qureshi (33) is brother of Shakeel’s wife. And Mohammed Salim Iqbal Qureshi alias Salim Fruit is brother-in-law of Shakeel’s wife.
Seven other members have been identified as Anjum Adam Phajlani (48), Jameel Haji Abdul Jabbar alias Sanjay Baba (31), Shaikh Sabir Suleman (42), Sayyed Mehandi (39), Mustafa Gulam Ameen Mahmood (31), Shakil Ahmed Khotta Shakeel (36) and Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Dholakia alias Chaipani (50).
These persons had been detained by the Dubai police a fortnight ago in connection with the murder of a diamond merchant-cum-bookie in a shopping mall. But two others who were detained - Abdul Qayyum Ansari, an associate of Anees Ibrahim, Dawood’s brother, and Shakeel’s younger brother Anwar Shaikh - pulled strings and fled to Karachi. Indian police authorities were disappointed about the release of these two criminals.
During the course of investigations, Dubai police could not find enough evidence against them, but meanwhile Indian authorities conveyed that all of them were criminals wanted in India. The deportation formalities were completed in a few days. A team of intelligence personnel flew to Dubai and escorted the D-Gang members to Mumbai. After close questioning by IB officials, they were handed over to the Mumbai police.
Observers say that a rift between Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel may have led to the deportation of ten gangsters associated with the Chhota Shakeel faction. Police have formed special teams to interrogate the 10 gangsters to find out their involvement in various crimes committed in Mumbai and other places.
In the meantime, the special TADA court in Mumbai has convicted a city-based builder, Noor Mohd. Khan and a Tiger Memon aide, Liaquet Ali Khan for concealing explosives in their godown during the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Till Nov. 23, the court had pronounced its judgement against 103 accused. Eight-one of them have been convicted and 22 acquitted.
Earlier in the week, Ejaz Pathan, an erstwhile close aide of Mafia don Dawood Ibrahim and his henchman Mohd. Dawood Khan were convicted on Monday, Nov. 20, for their complicity in the 1993 serial blasts.
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