J Dey paid tribute to the nameless informer in Zero Dial ufffd the term by used in Dawood's stronghold, Dongri to describe these vital cogs in criminal reportage and investigations. Excerpts from the book
J Dey paid tribute to the nameless informer in Zero Dial ufffdu00a0 the term by used in Dawood's stronghold, Dongri to describe these vital cogs in criminal reportage and investigations. Excerpts from the book.
It was around 2 pm. An hour left foru00a0 mulakaat to get underway at Thane jail. Rahim had sent a message through a guard that he wanted to meet Vicky. Vicky must still be in the barrack and there was time for bandi, locking of the barracks, to be lifted, realized Rahim. The gate had to be opened again before he could walk into the compound and see him in the mulakaat cell. The guards would certainly inform Vicky about Tahim's arrival. 
This would entitle them to a small baksheesh. Suddenly, he saw Vicky walking briskly towards him.
Rahim: Salaam Bhai.
Vicky: Sab theek?
Rahim: I've cutting. A definite tip-off.
Vicky: What is it?
Rahim: Kurla is admitted to a hospital in Andheri.
Vicky: Ah! Are you sure?
Rahim: Pakki khabar hain, bhai. I've seen him myself.
Vicky: That's great work. I'll be out by next week. But I think we should not waste time. I'll give you a contact, Rohit Verma's telephone number. Collect some money from Mama.
Rahim: I will contact Rahitbhai.
Vicky: Main uska bond nikalta hoon. I will get Nana to issue his death warrant.
Rohit Verma was among Nana's most trusted lieutenants. He joined the big league through Matya, a senior-level organizer in the Nana Company, entrusted with dealing with recruits and assigning them jobs in the gang.
Starting off as a robber, he made it to the upper echelons of Mumbai's underworld after ambushing East West Airlines' chief Takkiuddin Wahid near his office in Bandra.
April 21, 1998.
Rohit's car halted outside Bellevue Hospital. Azam Khan was at the wheel. Dressed in a pair of expensive jeans and a white shirt, Rohit was accompanied by Jaggu. The duo was the most dreaded and fearless combination in Mumbai's underworld circles. The two men looked like doctors ufffd except for the .38 caliber revolvers tucked at the back.
Climbing up the flight of stairs, Rohit who was the first one to reach the male ward, bumped into a nurse. Even before he could enquire about the patient in bed number 4, Rohit recognized Kurla sitting on the cot, chatting with two of his associates. A ward boy was inside the room filling a jug with water. The two shooters did not have much time. Jaggu pulled out his gun and pointed it at the trembling attendant, who ran out of the room.
Kurla was shocked. He didn't have the slightest idea that Nana's men would track him to the hospital. In fact, he had no idea that he was on Nana's hitlist. He wasn't a frontline shooter. All he did was pass on information to the gang on developments in Bollywood. Nevertheless, Kurla had played a secondary role in the serial blasts that rocked Mumbai in 1993 and it was time for retribution.
Rohit brandished his revolver and pumped four bullets into Kurla's stomach. The impact of the bullets made Kurla's body fly and hit the wall behind him. Jaggu fired four more rounds at Kurla's associates assuming that they too were members of D-Company. Blood spattered all over the room. Even the walls were stained red.
Their getaway was as simple as their entry. The two shooters hopped down the stairs and got into the waiting Esteem. Their car weaved its way through the traffic on Veera Desai Road and disappeared into the night.
That very night, Rahim was invited to attend a party hosted by Rohit. Jaggu and Khan were also present at the restaurant in Borivali. Rahim joined the three men, who had occupied a corner table and were drinking beer. A feeling of pride gripped Rahim. Till now he had been a mere chindi, a climber. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that he would one day be sipping beer with Nana's key shooters. He had been promoted.
A few minutes into the party, Rohit's phone rang. Picking up the phone, Rohit said, "Jai Hind. Vithala. Vithala."
Rahim immediately realized it was the Don on the line, 'Vithala' was code for 'mission accomplished,' when someone was killed and sent to their heavenly abode. Handing over the phone to Rahim, Rohit whispered, "It's Nana. He wants to talk to you." "Good job. Raja, jo apni ma ka na ho saka, who gaddar hain. If a man is not loyal to his country he deserves to be killed. We killed him," Nana said, speaking in a voice that carried his conviction even on the phone. "Did you get your money? It will be arranged soon. Get more information on these traitors," he added.
Nana's words had a deep impact on Rahim. He now began feeling that he was in Nana's inner circle. They may even promote me to a shooter, he thought. But no, I would still prefer to remain an informer. The stakes become higher if you are an artiste or shooter.
The news sped across the border and Dawood was furious at the death of his man. Dawood ordered his men to run a check on who could have tipped off Nana's men about Kurla's whereabouts.
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Chapter 14: Kurla and Passport, Zero Dial: The Dangerous World of Informers.
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