Thakkar family interrogated

MUMBAI, May 2: The Crime Branch officials today questioned members of the Thakkar family in connection with the murder of Vallabhbhai Thakkar, owner of Raghuvanshi mill, last month. The accountant of the mill, who was also interrogated, has given police some vital clues, sources said.

Joint Commissioner (crime) R S Sharma said that Thakkar’s three brothers and their sons were summoned to the Crime Branch office to confirm the information gathered after the interrogation of the other witnesses in the case.Sources disclosed that police were trying to find out whether the deceased had paid Rs 75 lakh to Arun Gawli at Dagdi Chawl for acquiring a property near Babulnath Temple at Walkeshwar. The questioning of the accountant also assumes significance in this connection. Thakkar’s accounts could give vital information about his financial transactions.The questioning of Thakkar family comes close on the heels of the seizure of two Maruti 800 cars, allegedly used by the killers. Police have obtained some finger prints from the cars and also equipment left behind by the hitmen.

Though senior police officers are tight-lipped, sources disclosed that some of the prints match with those of known criminals, believed to be members of Sada Pawle faction of the Arun Gawli gang. Police believe Pawle was in the city the day Thakkar was shot down.