Haji Mastan’s ‘foster son’ puts don’s daughter in dock

Police said that Sunder Shekar,the complainant,is currently the president of the Bhartiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh located in Byculla. According to Shekhar,Mastan’s daughter Shamshad Supariwala (45) produced forged documents to claim party leadership and eventually usurp the property.

“Haji Mastan considered me as his son and named me Sulaiman Mirza. He formed the Bharatiya Muslim Minorities Suraklsha Mahsangh in 1989 and changed its name to the current one in 1992. After his death in 1994,I became its president,” said Shekar.

He alleged that in July,2012,Supariwala submitted fake documents of her membership,with Mastan’s signatures,in Mazgaon Court. “The stamp paper that she had used was purchased in July 2012. However,the date mentioned was 1986. Also the document stated that the party was formed in 1986,whereas it was established three years later. Her documents also mentioned the place as Mumbai,while the city was known as Bombay then,” said Munira Khan,the party’s general secretary.

Khan said she sought police intervention several times last year. However,the police did not comply with it,Khan claimed. The Mazgaon Court directed the police to lodge an FIR this month. “The case was registered on August 8. Shekar and I have recorded our statements and Supariwala was also called for questioning. I do not know why no arrests have been made yet,” she said.

Apart from Supariwala,the police have booked Mohammad Usman Shaikh,Mohammad Davana,Mohammad Shamim Ansari,Shaikh Abdul Ali and Imtiyaz Qureshi.

Believed to be Supariwala’s associates,they have been charged under sections 465,467,471,420 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for forgery and cheating.

J J Marg police said the allegations were being investigated.