Police hunt for reporter with gangster ‘link’

In a news that shocked the city, the Special Task Force (STF) of UP police has launched a manhunt for a reporter working with an electronic ...

In a news that shocked the city, the Special Task Force (STF) of UP police has launched a manhunt for a reporter working with an electronic news channel on the suspicion that she is working as a conduit for underworld don Babloo Srivastava, currently in Lucknow jail.

Mamta Tiwari’s name cropped up two days ago, while STF was going through Srivastava’s electronic surveillance. She is the daughter of Samajwadi Party leader Dharmanand Tiwari. A few days ago, a Delhi-based businessman, Sheetal Singh, lodged a complaint with the STF that he was receiving threats from Srivastava to get out of a multi-crore contract for high-security registration plates for cars.

Singh, incidentally, is also a former journalist who had earned Srivastava’s wrath 10 years ago when he had exposed the ‘‘nexus’’ between a top UP BJP leader and the gangster. Srivastava had threatened him against writing about his ‘‘proximity’’ with the BJP leader.

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Srivastava is believed to be still running his network from behind bars with the help of officials of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) — who have reportedly provided him cellular SIM cards — and journalists. Tiwari is accused of using her clout to get 11 SIM cards for Srivastava.

On Wednesday night, the STF arrested nine people, including a prominent builder, a businessman and a former student leader allegedly operating on Srivastava’s directives. The gang, according to STF sources, planned to kidnap the son of Mumbai-based film financier K.C. Mohani and the brother of a businessman in Kathmandu.

Police believed Srivastava was passing on instructions to them through a cellphone. They also feared Tiwari was one of the conduits he used to pass on messages to his gang. She has been absconding since the STF bust the racket and her father claims she has been ‘‘framed’’ as she intended to expose the STF working.

BSNL officials are refusing to cooperate. ‘‘We have sent them three letters seeking details of the SIM cards being used by Srivastava but we have got no response,’’ says Verma.

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When contacted, BSNL officials refused to comment and to give out the names under which the 11 SIM cards had been purchased.

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