Mumbai: 'D' gang hired shooters through Facebook at behest of Zubair Khan

Zubair Khan. File Pic

A month-long investigation into the case of D-gang recruiting shooters through Facebook to eliminate a Bandra-based lawyer Shabnam Shaikh, has not only led to the arrest of another four accused, but has also revealed a new side to the story. According to the police, the shooters were hired by Fahim machmach, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, on the behest of Big Boss contestant Zubair Khan. Crime Branch sources said that the interrogation of the accused, who were nabbed earlier, helped them to zero down on Khan and arrest him. The other three who were arrested from Hyderabad on Friday have been identified as Amin Haidar, Mirza and Abrar.

An officer from the Crime Branch said, "On Zubair's instructions, Fahim had started the online recruitment process. The accused have confessed that they were asked to eliminate Shaikh. A pistol, two magazines and four live rounds have been seized from the accused."

Also read - Mumbai murder plot: Man hired to kill activist tells cops Dawood aide brainwashed him on Facebook

The police said Jagbir Singh, who was arrested earlier, was also recruited by Fahim for the job. He had come to Mumbai from Amritsar and had taken shelter at a gurdwara in Antop Hill. However, even before Fahim managed to send him the weapon for the murder, the cops arrested him. Singh has revealed that he was given the task of gathering information about poker tycoon Amin Rozani as well. In the first week of January, Rozani had filed a complaint with the police saying that he had received an extortion call for Rs 50 lakh. Speaking to mid-day, DCP Dilip Sawant said they arrested Zubair Khan on charges of extortion and threatening and he has been sent to police custody till February 26.

The first link
According to sources from the Crime Branch, a 17-year-old boy, who was contacted by Fahim through Facebook, had shared the details with a friend, who later informed Shaikh about it. After that she approached the Khar police and filed a complaint in the matter. The case was then transferred to the Anti-Extortion Cell. She had mentioned about receiving an extortion call from a person, who identified himself as Dawood Ibrahim alias Rajasab. The caller had alleged that Shaikh took some money from a Bollywood actor and that she should cough up Rs 1 crore. The first breakthrough happened when the cops arrested two gangsters - Harish Yadav from Delhi and Bilal Shamshi from Bandra, Mumbai. Upon interrogating them, they learnt about Singh, who was then arrested from his Antop Hill hideout.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates