D-gang is now dialling rural areas: IB

Yavatmal Businessman Got An Extortion Call From A Number In Pakistan

Mateen Hafeez I TNN

Mumbai: Intelligence Bureau alerts indicate that the underworld is resurfacing again. This time, the Dawood Ibrahim network is spreading its tentacles in the interior of Maharashtra, a report suggests.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) issued an alert on underworld activities sometime ago, stating that the D-gang was trying to recapture the extortion business and that its members were active in interior Maharashtra. The alert noted that Faheem, a D-gang aide, informed one of his Mumbai-based associates—a woman—that Rs 2.12 lakh was sent to India for distribution among gang members.

For the city police, though, his modus operandi of relying on women associates is nothing new. In the past, the crime branch has arrested a woman, Rubeena Sayyed, for distributing money to gang members on behalf of Dawood associate Chhota Shakeel. A few months ago too, a woman was among several persons the crime branch had arrested for being part of the D-gang, and she too was suspected of being a distributor of money for the gang.

The IB alert further stated that a Kalina-based gang member was asked to keep an eye on the activities of rival gang members. The city police and the crime branch have been claiming that the D-gang has been hobbled and its members are lying low. But the IB alert contradicted this claim. It stated that a gang member, Ganpat alias Chhota Don, using a Pakistan mobile phone number, had asked a Yavatmal businessman for Rs 4 lakh. Don allegedly asked the businessman to hand over the money to his aide Chhotu or face dire consequences.

The alert mentioned Dawood’s spiritual guru, Islam Baba, who is based in Pakistan. “Often, before embarking on a new venture, Dawood seeks his blessings,’’ said a police source. Dawood is said to be close to many sufis, and to seek their blessings regularly. The alert said that one gang member is getting clearance for the Dgang’s real estate projects in Mumbai. This gang member has allegedly informed Islam Baba that one of his aides believed that some persons close to an MP were trying to throw a spanner in the works.
mateen.hafeez@timesgroup.com

The Times of India, December 14, 2009