Murder 8212; pointer to crime

SURAT, May 23: The daylight murder of anti-social Sanjay Dhanji Makwana alias Sanjay Manjra on Friday afternoon is yet another pointer to...

SURAT, May 23: The daylight murder of anti-social Sanjay Dhanji Makwana alias Sanjay Manjra on Friday afternoon is yet another pointer to the number of illegal video-parlours in the city. These parlours, several of which allegedly screen blue films, have been flourishing despite a crackdown by the police in the past few months, and the Bajrang Dal, which has its base in the area, declaring war against them.

A large number of the parlours are in Varachha Road and its adjoining areas, which have a sizable migrant population of workers in the diamond and textile businesses.

Makwana was stabbed in the stomach, arms and chest by about five people on Friday afternoon, and was shifted in a profusely bleeding condition to the Maskati hospital, where he managed to name at least four of those who assaulted him. According to sources, he named Shetty Amdavadi, Vicky Pancholi, one Jaggo, and Dinesh, all of whom are absconding. City police commissioner Kuldip Sharma has directed additional commissioner H P Singh to supervise the case, which is being handled by Varachha PSI R D Marathe. No arrests were made until Sunday evening although the police said that three persons had been questioned so far. Police sources said that Makwana was killed by his associates over distribution of money earned through illegal video-parlours and other crimes.

The city Bajrang Dal, however, has not reacted very sharply. 8220;Yes, we had embarked on a sustained drive but have no plans for the moment,8221; city Bajrang Dal office-bearer Babubhai Sawaliya said. While agreeing a number of blue-film theatres and parlours were still operational 8212; the Bajrang Dal had broken down a couple of dubious video parlours in Varachha last year 8212; Sawaliya accused the police of 8220;not being vigilant enough8221;.

According to police sources, Makwana had a police record and had been arrested at least thrice earlier for rioting, theft and the like. While police contend that his video-parlour had been closed for six months now, others said that he had formed a gang which was active in offences like pick-pocketing, vehicle-lifting and the like.

Police sources also said that almost all the gang members, which included the accused and his murderers, met regularly either at a video parlour being run at Harekrishna Complex where Makwana was murdered or at Raj Video Theatre exactly opposite it. Police investigations have revealed that an argument between Makwana and the others could have led to his murder.

While the police have registered a case of murder and are investigating further, there have been very few instances of the police booking people for running video-parlours or theatres that screen blue films. Only a couple of such cases have been registered this year by the police.