August 8: Mumbai police have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for any information on Vijay Sharma, the alleged brain behind the attack on producer-director Rajiv Rai on July 31. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) R S Sharma told reporters that apart from Sharma, one Chinchu and Ramu were also involved in the firing. Two of the attackers were killed in an encounter recently, while three are in custody.Sharma said Vijay is a very important member of the Abu Salem gang. He said Vijay was lodged at Hotel Tirupati located at the Marol-Maroshi road and the plan to threaten Rai was hatched a day before the incident at his hotel room.``Vijay has not yet returned back to his room, but his clothes are still there. The police have been keeping a constant watch outside the hotel,'' he said. Sharma said the accused had taken supari only for threatening Rai and not for killing him. Vijay is very much within the limits of the city, he added. He said that Vijay has still in possession two weapons that were provided to him by his boss Abu Salem to threaten Rai.Rai was attacked on July 31 at his Tardeo office. He managed to survive due to the quick reflexes of his bodyguard Mohan Singh who not only snatched the weapon from the assailants but also managed to nab Mohammed Arif after firing at his left arm.
