Thane drug racket: Builder who sold flats to Mamta Kulkarni summoned

Thane police, which busted the Rs 2,000-crore drug racket last month, has summoned a top city builder, Shabbir Patel, for questioning in the case; he has sought time citing ill health

The Thane police, which busted the Rs 2,000-crore drug racket last month, has summoned a top city builder, Shabbir Patel, for questioning in the case.

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Mamta Kulkarni

Patel is alleged to have had business transactions with Vicky Goswami, husband of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni and fugitive drug lord who allegedly runs an international narcotics racket. His name popped up during investigation into Kulkarni and Goswami's ties in India. Police said he has sold three flats in Versova through his realty firm, Oscar Builders Pvt Ltd, to Kulkarni.

Also read: Trail in Thane drug racket leads cops to Mamta Kulkarni's husband

Besides Kulkarni's sister, he is also allegedly one of the nominees to the flats. The Thane police had got on Goswami's trail after a tip-off about his operations from the US' Drug Enforcement Administration.

Shabbir Patel managing director of Oscar Builders

Uttam Shelke, senior police inspector from the anti-narcotics cell in Thane crime branch, said, "A summons was sent to Shabbir Patel on Thursday, asking him to appear before the investigating team and record his statement."

An officer said Patel responded, saying he only had "property connections" with Kulkarni. He sought more time to appear before the police, citing ill health.

Also read: Thane drug racket: 100 kg ephedrine sent to Vicky Goswami in last 3 months

Patel (64) is the managing director of Oscar Builders and has several ongoing projects in Dubai and Mumbai. Meanwhile, the police have decided to raid all six branches in the country of pharmaceutical company Evon Life Sciences, from whose factory in Solapur the haul of 20,000 kg of ephedrine was seized last month.

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