ISI had instructed Chhota Shakeel to rope in Maoists

In a major breakthrough and with inputs from intelligence units, the Bangalore police arrested Vinay Kumar (30) of Hassan and Devaiah (33) from South Kodagu. The two were trying to send Pasham Sridhar (27), Koyi Saratchandra (39) Darshanam Pradeep Kumar (29) and Gaddam Pavan Kumar (38) to Dubai where they would meet Altaf, a native of Baseri Kattemane near Mangalore. Most importantly, Altaf is one of the associates of Chhota Shakeel.

However, the four were arrested  by Hyderabad police and they were supposed to leave for Dubai on August 4.

According to the City Police Commissioner, Shankar Bidari, the four arrested by Hyderabad police were leaders of naxal organisations. Altaf had sent visas for four of them and to and fro air tickets by mail.

Addressing the media on Friday, Bidari said the arrests clearly indicate a link between ISI and Left-wing extremism. “It has exposed the Pak link of naxals and Maoists. The ISI has engaged Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel to select Maoist leaders in India to facilitate them to carry out terror acts throughout the country,” Bidari said.

Hawala racket

This apart, the arrests have also exposed a hawala racket reportedly used to send and receive money from Altaf.

Altaf had paid Vinay Kumar Rs 25 lakh of which Kumar received Rs 15 lakh through hawala network on July 13 and the remaining Rs 10 lakh was given to him in Hyderabad on July 14.

 “With this, Kumar had purchased a Hyundai Assent car. Kumar has kept the remaining  Rs 10 lakh with an accomplice” Bidari said.

Altaf-Vinay link

Altaf was running a bar (Times Bar) on Residency Road, Bangalore between 2004 and 2006 and Kumar was working as a bouncer in it. The two came in contact with Devaiah, who was working as private detective. The duo were arrested by Kerala police in 2007 for their alleged links with the kidnap of businessman Razak.

This apart, Altaf was arrested by Banaswadi police for allegedly demanding Rs 2 crore from a realtor, Govardhan Murthy. He was also wanted by Mangalore’s Mulky police station for extorting nearly Rs 1 crore from Shekabba, another businessman. The jurisdictional courts have issued non-bailable warrants against Altaf for his failure to appear before it.

“We are initiating the process for issuance of the Red Corner Notice against Altaf," Mr Bidari said.