After Nagma, NCP member ‘linked’ to Anees

After actor Nagma, the name of NCP member and prominent Mumbai travel-agency proprietor Arshad Siddiqui has come up in the confession of an ...

After actor Nagma, the name of NCP member and prominent Mumbai travel-agency proprietor Arshad Siddiqui has come up in the confession of an alleged underworld operative.

Jamruddin Kalia, alias Jumbo — held since last October by the Mumbai Police — said in his statement that don Dawood Ibrahim’s elder brother Anees Ibrahim in 2001, had sent Rs 4 lakh to Jumbo through hawala.

‘‘Saudi visa ke liye Anees ne mere ko uska pahchanwala Bombai ka agent Arshad Siddiqui ko milne ke liye kaha tha…jab main Bambai aaya, tab mera passport Arshad Siddique ne lekar Dawood ki behan Hasina ke pas rakha. (For the Saudi visa, Anees told me to meet Arshad Siddiqui, a Bombay travel agent he knew…when I came to Bombay, my passport was taken by Arshad and given to Dawood’s sister Hasina (who lives in Pakmodia Street, Pydhonie).’’

Neither Nagma nor Siddiqui was questioned by the Mumbai Police in the now infamous case of the mafia nexus with gutkha barons Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal and Jagdish Joshi (both in Dubai, with non-bailable warrants against them).

‘‘I am in no way connected with the case,’’ Siddiqui told The Indian Express. I have been in the travel business for several years and every year I clear more than 200 visas for various countries, particularly for the Haj. There are so many Jamruddins, how can I remember who he is, ’’ he asked.

Jumbo, in his statement before DCP Amitabh Gupta, also alleged actor Nagma was linked to Anees Ibrahim. ‘‘Once Anees had also sent Rs 10 lakh for her through me,’’ Jumbo said.

Jumbo’s lawyer Shyam Keswani, however, alleged that the confession was ‘‘fabricated and prepared by the police, which obtained his signature by use of force and third-degree methods’’.

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Meanwhile, PTI reported that confusion continued to prevail over the identity of the actress who is alleged to have had links with the underworld. Police said another Nagma, a small-time actress, had figured during investigations in a criminal case in which her mother was convicted under MCOCA for underworld nexus.

Nagma no party leader: Cong

NEW DELHI

: Following reports linking Nagma with the underworld, Congress on Monday tried to distance itself. ‘‘She is no party leader,’’ Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said. Asked if she was a member of the Congress, Sharma said: ‘‘I will check.’’ On Nagma’s alleged links with Anees, he added: ‘‘These are allegations. It is for the individual concerned and law enforcing agencies to clarify.”’ —ENS