The Thane Police on Tuesday said that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar was held from his sister Haseena Parkar's house, late on Monday by a crack team of the Thane Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) and later placed under arrest. Kaskar was produced before a court here today which sent him to eight days police custody. Besides Kaskar, the court also sent two others to police custody for eight days.
Addressing a press conference, Thane CP Parambir Singh said Iqbal Kaskar used to issue threats in the name of Dawood Ibrahim. "We are seeing if there is any direct involvement of Dawood Ibrahim or not," said the top cop. Three people, including Iqbal Kaskar, have been arrested and three are being questioned in this case, he added.
"Iqbal Kaskar demanded four flats and Rs 30 lakh as ransom from a builder. The names of some other builders and politicians have also emerged during the investigation," Singh told mediapersons.
The police are now examining whether the dreaded Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) can be applied to Iqbal Kaskar and his brother Dawood, believed to be in Pakistan.
Dawood Ibrahim's younger brother Iqbal Kaskar was arrested by the Thane Police in connection with an extortion case on Monday.
Iqbal was taken into custody from his house in Nagpada area in Central Mumbai by a team led by encounter specialist and the anti-extortion cell's senior police inspector Pradeep Sharma, an official said.
"Iqbal was brought for questioning in connection with an extortion case. After investigation, he was found to be involved in the case and arrested," the official said. Some more arrests were likely during the night as five more persons were detained in connection with the extortion case, he said.
According to sources, some extortion calls were made in Iqbal's name to a Thane-based businessman.
The businessman then approached the Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane Police with a complaint.
Acting on the complaint this evening, Sharma's team went to Nagpada and took Iqbal into custody.
Iqbal, who was deported from the United Arab Emirates in 2003, is said to be operating his brother's real estate business in the city, the police said. He was wanted in a murder case and the Sara Sahara illegal construction case. However, he was acquitted in both the cases in 2007.
Thane Police addresses media after arrest of Dawood Ibrahim's younger brother Iqbal Kaskar: HIGHLIGHTS
# Threats given in name of Dawood, sometimes shooters were brought from outside, some brought from Bihar to forcibly evacuate properties: Thane CP
#Some politicians including corporators could be involved, we are investigating: Thane CP Parambir Singh
#Three people have been arrested and three are being questioned, says Thane Police after arrest of Dawood Ibrahim's younger brother Iqbal Kaskar.
#Iqbal Kaskar was arrested from his sister Haseena Parkar's residence, says Thane CP Parambir Singh.
#Have information on at least 10 more extortion cases related to those arrested: Thane Police sources
