Interpol puts gutkha barons on wanted list

Three months after the case came to light, the gutkha-underworld nexus case seems to be making some headway. The Mumbai police today filed chargesheet against the four accused and Interpol on its part put gutkha barons, Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal and J.M. Joshi, on the ‘‘wanted’’ list after a request from India.

Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Anees, Mohammed Farooque Mansuri, Jamruddin alias Jambo Kaliya Ansari and Rajesh Laxminarayan Pancharia’s names also figure in the chargesheet. While Ansari and Pancharia were arrested under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, the police have shown Anees and Farooque as wanted accused. Dhariwal and Joshi’s names, too, figure in the 200-page chargesheet, though not as wanted accused, but as those needed for interrogation. Early this month, non-bailable warrants were issued against Dhariwal and Joshi, but their advocates informed the court that the two were in Dubai and are likely to return to India in the first week of March.

After receiving documents from the CBI, the Interpol has not only put Dhariwal and Joshi on the ‘wanted’ list, but will also be issuing a Red Corner notice against them after going through the evidence.

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Confirming the news, JCP (Crime) Meera Borwankar said: ‘‘The Crime Branch had issued NBWs against both the businessman and had forwarded the papers to the CBI.’’

The Story So Far

• Jambo Kaliya Ansari and Rajesh Pancharia arrested in October 2004 for extortion

• The accused reveal gutkha machines were supplied to Anees in Karachi at the behest of Dhariwal and Joshi

• Also claim Dhariwal and Joshi approached Anees to settle a dispute of Rs 40 crore between them.

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• In return, Dawood asked the barons to set up a gutkha business for his brother