Don calls up SP leader’s son, demands Rs 10 cr

Mateen Hafeez I TNN

Mumbai: After threatening jewellers, developers and Bollywood celebrities, fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari’s latest victim is city Samajwadi Party chief Abu Asim Azmi’s son, Farhan. The caller demanded Rs 10 crore as extortion money for not harming Farhan and allowing him to continue with his business.

Farhan, who lost the assembly polls from Bhiwandi recently, is the husband of actor Aayesha Takiya and owns a restaurant, Koyla.

Farhan’s father, Abu Azmi, told TOI, “My son has lodged a complaint with the Colaba police and also informed the Mumbai crime branch chief, Himanshu Roy, about it.’’ According to Azmi, an unidentified caller dialled Koyla restaurant in Andheri and introduced himself as Ravi Pujari. “The caller told the receptionist that he wanted only Rs 10 crore, and if he was not paid, Farhan would have to face dire consequences,’’ Azmi said. The call was made two weeks ago.

“On Sunday, someone again dialled the hotel number and was trying to impress the receptionist with his ‘terror’ links. The caller again said he was Ravi Pujari and that he was responsible for attacks on several jewellers, businessmen in the city,’’ Azmi said. Both the times, Farhan was not present at the hotel. Azmi said that the crime branch was working on the case. “We don’t want any security for Farhan. He already has private guards. We want the culprit to be arrested. I have also spoken to the home minister and he has assured a speedy investigation,’’ said Azmi, who himself is an MLA. Azmi is one of the richest politicians in Mumbai.

Around 8.30 pm on Sunday, Farhan received a call on his mobile from a London number. “The caller said he was Ravi Pujari and reiterated his demand for Rs 10 crore. He was even ready to negotiate for a lesser amount but stated that if I have to run my business in the suburbs, I will have to pay money,’’ Farhan said.

This is not the first time Farhan has complained to the police. In March this year, Farhan had told the police that he received threat calls from someone who claimed to be the associate of captured Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab. The caller, who identified himself as Afzan Khan, and also claimed to be close to Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders, demanded Rs 55 lakh and an AK-47 assault rifle from Farhan. The caller had once called from an ISD number beginning with +55 (Brazil’s ISD code).

The Times of India, July 19, 2010