Mumbai: Altaf Lakdawala, a Mumbai-based builder, has been detained by the Thane crime branch for partnering gangster Iqbal Kaskar to run the extortion ring.
According to an official of the Thane crime branch, “Altaf Ladkawala has been detained on Friday in the extortion racket. During investigation, we came to know that he is a partner of Iqbal Kaskar and was running the extortion syndicate along with Kaskar. We are trying to ascertain the exact role of Lakdawala and the monetary benefit he got out of the partnership.” According to the police, the Lakdawala builders reign the hawala operations in western suburbs, especially in Bandra. The police are ascertaining the money trail between Kaskar and Lakdawala.
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During interrogation, it was found that Lakdawala has close links with Kaskar and was in constant touch with him over phone calls. The police that Lakdawala is a close aide of Chhota Shakeel and his funds were used for buying arms and ammunition to threaten the builders.
According to an official, “On more complaint of extortion will be registered against Kaskar within a day. A Thane-based builder, who was threatened by Kaskar, has approached us to register a complaint.” The police will also be going through the passport details of Shakeel since he is a wanted accused in this case.
The name of one R.C. Angadia which is a fictitious name used by a local hawala operator has also cropped up during investigations. The money which was funded by Pankaj Gangar would be handed over to R.C. Angadia who would send it to Shakeel’s men in abroad as well as in Mumbai and Thane. Gangar is a director and partner at Oorja Properties Private Limited at Borivali. Oorja Properties has its registered office at Sun Plaza near Diamond Talkies at Borivali (W).
