The National Investigating Agency (NIA) has arrested two associates of gangster Chhota Shakeel in Mumbai. The arrested accused have been identified as – Arif Abubakar Shaikh (aged 59) and Shabbir Abubakar Shaikh (aged 51). The NIA is investigating terror/criminal activities of the international terrorist network of Dawood Ibrahim and his associates including Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna, Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzaq Memon alias Tiger Memon and Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel.
The investigation agency has accused them of working in cohorts with terrorist organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Al Qaeda. Besides, they have also been charged with arms smuggling, money laundering, fake currency circulation, narco-terrorism and acquisition of key assets for raising terror funds.
Just a few days back, NIA conducted searches at 24 places in Mumbai and five places in Mira Road Bhayandar Commissionerate. The investigative agency had conducted raids across 29 places in Mumbai and its adjoining districts in connection with the case filed by the NIA on February 3 earlier this year too.
As per the news report of the NDTV India, a senior NIA official has disclosed that “both were involved in handling D-Company illegal activities and terrorist financing in the western suburbs of Mumbai.” According to him, they would be produced before an NIA special court on Friday.
“Investigations suggest that the entire syndicate is being run by the Dawood gang from across the border. We have already summoned 21 persons to explain their roles,” an official said, as per the NDTV’s report.
Shakeel’s brother-in-law Salim Qureshi alias Salim Fruit, Bollywood producer Sameer Hingorani, alleged hawala operator Abdul Qayyum, Managing Trustee of Mahim and Haji Ali dargahs Suhail Khandwani, alleged bookie-turned builder Ajay Ghosaliya alias Ajay Ganda, restaurateur Aslam Sarodia, Mobida Bhiwandiwala and Guddu Pathan are reportedly under the scanner of NIA.
