4 of Dabholkar’s killers arrested

Of the four arrested recently, Mujakir Hussain Muddasir Hussain alias Munna alias Zingada was the first one to fall in police hands. He was arrested by a special police squad led by Assistant Inspector Pradeep Sharma on November 22 at Hotel Dreamland in Andheri. The other three, identified as Salim Chikna alias Tanisq alias Bupendra alias Maksud, Ashfaq Mohammed Ramjan (21) alias Raj, Shekar Mayawan Harijan and Hussain Salim Sayed alias Break alias Aakashwere were picked up in the last fortnight. Police said they have all confessed to the killing. Additional Commissioner of Police (north west region) Dr Satya Pal Singh said: “It’s just a matter of time before a chargesheet in the case is filed. Some reports are being processed.”

The police have recovered two Brazilian 9 mm pistol of Forgas Taurous and 14 live rounds from the accused. The pistol, also known as mini carbine, has the capability of firing 20 rounds at a time. Two 7-chamber revolvers, one Star pistol (7.63 caliber), 16 live rounds and three mobile phones allegedly used to carry out the slaying of Dabholkar, have also been recovered from them.

While Sadiq Kalia, who was killed in an encounter, was involved in 16 other murders apart from Dabholkar’s, Salim Chikna was wanted in connection with seven murders, Harijan in two shootouts and Hussain Salim Sayyed in one.

The police said the other killings carried out by the gang this year included the murder of Kushraj Jain at Mahim, Mohammed Khalid Ansari alias Kallu in Agripada, Akbar Sayed in Dongri and Chhota Rajan’s top aide Mahendra Patil in Chembur late last month. The gang also eliminated a rival gangster Gottya in Oshiwara in August this year.