Customs official accused in blasts case shot at

He was first rushed to Lilawati Hospital, from where he was later taken to Bhabha Hospital at Bandra W. He has been admitted to the ICU with serious injuries.

Investigations have revealed six men were waiting at the spot to attack Thapa. While two of them came forward, the others stood waiting about 150 meters from the spot. Police said Thapa was to meet a TV personality in connection with a serial at the hotel.

Incidentally, this is the second attack on Thapa. A similar attempt had been made on his lifetwo years ago at Dongri, but he escaped unhurt.

Thapa, who was Additional Commissioner of Customs Marine and Preventive Department was arrested in April 1993 after he was accused of conniving with Dawood Ibrahim8217;s landing agent Tiger Memon. He was accused of being responsible for laying a wrong trap at Purar Phata near Mahad in Raigad district, while the consignment of deadly Research and Development Explosive RDX was smuggled through a different route.