Lakdawala henchmen planning to target Reshmayyia, Santoshi held

Lucknow, July 25 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh police today arrested four aides of international gangster Eijaz Lakhawala who were here to get weapons to attack singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya and producer Raj Kumar Santoshi for not paying extortion money.

The STF apprehended the criminals, on the information from the Mumbai police at Deva in the nearby Barabanki district. Four revolvers/pistols, one mobile phone and a SUV, of Maharastra registration in which they were travelling was seized.

State Director General of Police(DGP) Vikram Singh told mediaperons here that Anees Radiowala , the gang leader along with three of his henchmen -- Namdev, Mohammad Rahim Khan and Irshad Warsi-- all residents of Mumbai were arrested this morning when they were looking for weapons to attack Reshammiya and Santoshi.

Later, the four criminals would be taken to Mumbai on transit remand. ''The Mumbai Police team is expected here this evening,'' said an STF official.

Anees, who was present during the press meet, said that he is the agent of Lakdawala in India, who at presents operates from Australia and New Zealand.

Narrating in detail about the conspiracy to attack the two Bollywood personalities, he said that they were refusing to pay the extortion money and hence the shooters and weapons were required for their killings.

'' First we planned to shoot down Himesh during the mega TV music contest programme SaReGaMa by engaging a shooter to contest the show. But it did not work out, as the shooter failed to get selected as a candidate,'' he said.

The Mumbai based criminal also revealed that his associate Namdev had already arranged two shooters-- Imran and Sohail-- and were on the track to arrange the weapons.

Lakdawala is one of the most wanted gangsters. In May 2003, he was rumored to have been killed when Dawood's henchmen opened fire at him in a crowded market in Bangkok. However, he survived and moved to Canada.

In May 2004, he was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ottawa, following an Interpol red corner notice for him.

He is involved in more than 20 cases of extortion, attempt to murder and rioting.

UNI