Raid nets Rs 1 lakh, DGP has an excuse

It is also learnt that Gopal, in spite of the search warrant, tried to pull rank and even tried to exert pressure on the bureau sleuths by calling up ACB chief Dr P.S. Pasricha who, however, didn’t entertain the phone calls.

And, even when the panchnama refers to Chandok’s phone conversation with the police official, saying: ‘‘Apki ek chakri padi hai, (Your Rs 1 lakh is lying with me),’’ and Gopal responding,‘‘Haan mein nau baje aunga office jate samai (Yes, I will come by 9 am on the way to office)’’, the sleuths are yet to seize Gopal’s cellphone.

Gopal, however, said the money was only a friendly loan. ‘‘I have given in writting that I knew Chandok for last 30 years as friend and astrologer. I wanted to go for a tour and was short of money and hence I took a friendly loan, that’s it,’’ he said. The DGP also denied abusing the raiding officers.

‘‘Certainly we will be calling every single person connected with the case in the coming days,’’ Pasricha said. ACB officials are now likely to question a few builders, namely Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Hanif Nagori, Zuber Usman Gani Khatri, Bharat Shivram Chavan and Manish Pingle from whom, the FIR says, Rs 2 lakh was extracted by Chandok for clearing their huge bill from the police housing.