July 2: Among the 100-odd cases of extortion registered with the police so far this year, one case stands out for its novelty. An ingenious trader tried to use the widespread racket to his advantage taking even the police for a ride.
Laljibhai Vira lodged a complaint with the police stating that he was summoned to Dagdi Chawl, the underworld don Arun Gawli’s headquarters. He said some of Gawli’s men were likely to visit his shop to extort money.Vira also complained that the duo was supposed to visit his Mafatlal family showroom at N M Joshi Marg on June 9 afternoon to take him to Dagdi Chawl. A trap was laid at his showroom with police inspector, S A Dani and eight officers of crime branch Unit-IV, all armed and set for an encounter. The police maintained the vigil till 3.30 pm. However, no one turned up.
With patience wearing out the crime branch team smelled rat when they further questioned Vira. Additional commissioner of police, crime, S P S Yadav, said, “It appears from our investigations that the businessman tried to use the police by bringing in the name of Arun Gawli and Dagdi Chawl.”In his letter to the joint commissioner of police, crime, Ranjit Singh Sharma on June 10, Vira stated that two unidentified persons visited him on June 8 bearing Gawli’s message. He also provided the description of the duo – six footer, bearded man, wearing sunglasses and such other vague details. The police could not prepare an identi-kit, though.
Police investigations have now revealed that it was purely a landlord-tenant dispute. Vira, who owns some flats in Krishna Kunj building at Hindu Colony, Dadar, had a dispute with one of his tenants, Sawant family and wanted them to vacate the flat. Although he managed to get his other flats evacuated, the Sawants refused to budge.
In January last year, some persons, allegedly at the instance of Vira, forcibly entered the flat where Sawants stayed and a non-cognisable offence was registered against Vira in the Matunga police station. A case in this regard is also pending in the small causes court.
Currently the flat is occupied by late Pramod Sawant’s widow and their widowed daughter-in-law. Their foster son Abhay Sawant who lives in Dadar is looking after them.
Police believe that the dispute was an old one and there was a let-up only when the death of another tenant in Dadar, Ramesh Kini, made the headlines.Despite this reporter’s repeated efforts, Laljibhai Vira refused to speak. He said, “I have given the complaint to the police and you can contact them for details.” However, the police have given up on the case and closed the investigations.