Gangster Ejaz Lakdawalas aides acquitted in extortion case

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) The Special MCOCA court today acquitted six associates of gangster Ejaz Lakdawala in an extortion case, due to lack of evidence.

Since the enactment of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) in 1999, this is the first case where the trial concluded within five days of the court proceedings, defence advocate Sushan Kunjuram told mediapersons here today.

Pronouncing the judgement, MCOCA Judge M P Kukade noted the accused Abdul Karim Sheikh, Yusuf Khan alias Yusuf, Akbar Dhosani, Mohammed Khalid Khan alias Salim, Amir Rehmand alias Raju and Nasiq Posi were acquitted from all the charges levelled against them, as the prosecution failed to prove them during the trial.

Prosecution had booked them u/s 387, 452 r/w 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), 3, 25 and 27 of Arms acts, 3(i)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of MCOCA act on June 8, 2005. Lakdawala and two others involved in the case have been declared to be absconding.

Mr Kunjuraman said as per the prosecution the accused were demanding extortion money from a businessman of south Mumbai between November 21, 2004 and January 17, 2005.

When the complainant refused to pay it two persons came on bike on January 17, 2005 and fired two rounds at him while he was in his shop at Manish Market in South Mumbai.

However, he survived as only one bullet injured his hand.

A total of seven witnesses were examined by the prosecution, he added.

UNI ST SR AE HT1727