Mumbai: Gangster Ejaz Lakdawala to be tried in MCOCA case dating back 15 years

MUMBAI: The crime branch took custody of gangster Ejaz Lakdawala in two 15-year-old extortion cases, including one under MCOCA. A former member of Chhota Rajan gang, wanted in 25 offences including two murders, was on the run after jumping bail in 1999. He was held this year.
Crime branch unit 9 took his custody from Arthur Road jail. In the case of 2005 case, the gangster threatened a hotelier using the services of an illegal telephone exchange.
"Back then, gangsters used illegal exchanges or cellphones to threaten. Police busted an exchange and 4-5 persons were held.
"The case did not hold for technical reasons and all accused were acquitted. Now we have arrested Lakdawala in an MCOCA case of LT Marg police station." said a senior crime branch officer.
Police said Lakdawala's men fired at a shop near Crawford Market and six were arrested for threatening the victim on Lakdawala's behalf. Establishing the gangster's link failed, as all accused have been acquitted but as Lakdawala was arrested recently, they want to try him under MCOCA.