'Dawood Ibrahim's man' calls Uddhav Thackeray; security scaled up at CM's house

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has received threat calls purportedly from the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate – sending police and security forces to a tizzy.

An unidentified person called up Matoshree and allegedly threatened to blow up the private bungalow of the Chief Minister in Bandra. The government, however, refused to provide exact details.

The Mumbai police have launched an investigation to trace the source of the call.

At least three to four calls came on Sunday from Dubai, wherein the caller identified themselves as speaking for the Dawood Ibrahim gang. The caller wanted to speak to the Chief Minister, however, the call was not transferred to him.

Thackeray, 60, enjoys Z+ security cover. However, after the event, security arrangements for Thackeray and Matoshree have been scaled up.

Viewing the incident very seriously, state home minister Anil Deshmukh asked the Crime Branch-CID to investigate.

Ministers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi governments, in its Cabinet meeting on the eve of two-day monsoon session of Maharashtra legislature, expressed concern over the calls to the Chief Minister’s residence.

The security arrangements at Vidhan Bhavan, state secretariat Mantralaya and Varsha, the official residence, too have been beefed up.

“We have immediately informed the Mumbai Police to do the needful in the matter. The police will verify the antecedents of the caller and take whatever measures necessary for the safety and security of the Chief Minister,” transport minister Anil Parab said.

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and others have reacted strongly to the incident and said the government will not be cowed down by any such threats to Thackeray.

“ Shiv Sainiks will be ready to deploy their own ring of security around ‘Matoshri’ if needed,” she said.