Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch is set to investigate the financial transactions of D.K. Rao, a close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan, for allegedly accepting money from other accused in exchange for mediating in a hotel extortion case.

Additionally, WhatsApp voice notes found on the mobile phone of arrested accused Abubakar Siddiqui are being examined, and forensic analysis of voice samples from D.K. Rao and other accused will be conducted. Senior officials have confirmed the development.

The Crime Branch had arrested D.K. Rao (53), Abubakar Abdullah Siddiqui (37), Imran Kaleem Shaikh (31), Riyaz Kaleem Shaikh (40), Asif Sattan Khan alias Saif Darbar (36), Javed Jalaluddin Khan (35), and Hanif Ismail Naik alias Annu Bhai (53) on January 23 for allegedly demanding ₹2.5 crore extortion from a 74-year-old hotelier.

A case has been registered against them under Various sections of BNS, D.K. Rao, a known enforcer for Chhota Rajan, has a criminal record with 42 serious cases including extortion, murder, kidnapping, and robbery.

Investigators suspect that D.K. Rao was financially compensated by the accused for facilitating the extortion attempt. To verify this, the Crime Branch will scrutinize his financial transactions.

Moreover, WhatsApp voice notes recovered from Abubakar Siddiqui’s mobile suggest discussions between the accused regarding the takeover of the hotel. To establish evidence, the voice samples of D.K. Rao and other accused will be collected and matched with the voice recordings found in the case.

The entire conspiracy was orchestrated to illegally seize the hotel of the senior businessman. D.K. Rao allegedly issued death threats to the complainant and demanded ₹2.5 crore in extortion. The Crime Branch is conducting further investigations to gather more evidence in the case. All accused again remanded Police custody till February 1.

Mumbai: A day after BJP Minister Nitesh Rane demanded a ban on the burqa in schools during exams, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, urging them not to entertain such regressive demands, which target only the Muslim community and could deprive Muslim students of their education.

In his letter to Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar and Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Shaikh stated that for Muslims, wearing the burqa or headscarf is an act of worship. “The Preamble to the Constitution guarantees an individual’s liberty of faith and worship. Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion,” said Rais Shaikh, SP MLA.

Shaikh further argued that the demand to ban the burqa or headscarf in schools under the guise of exam regulations is nothing but an interference with religion. “This demand is unconstitutional and will not withstand any legal scrutiny. It targets the Muslim community at large, aiming to deprive minority students of their education. Entertaining such demands would only increase polarisation in the education sector,” Shaikh added.

Highlighting the government’s initiatives such as Ladki Bahin, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and women empowerment, Shaikh said, “While the government launches multiple initiatives to empower women, it now needs to walk the talk and not bow down to such hate-filled demands. This is an attempt to create an atmosphere of hate and fear.”

Shaikh further urged students and their parents not to panic and to focus on their studies for the upcoming exams. “This government will be responsible for jeopardising the careers of millions of students if it gives credence to such hate-filled demands,” he added.

Mumbai, 30 January 2025: The Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Traffic (Mumbai) has issued a temporary notification to manage traffic movement during the 5th T20I cricket match between India and England at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, February 2. The traffic arrangements will be in place from 12:00 hrs to 23:55 hrs to ensure smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion.

Key Traffic Arrangements:

1. No Parking Facility at Wankhede Stadium

Spectators are advised to use public transport, including trains and local transport, as no parking facilities will be available at the stadium and in the vicinity.

2. Parking Restrictions:

Vehicles will not be allowed to park on the following roads:

C Road (North side) from its junction at N.S. Road up to “E” Road.

D Road from N.S. Road junction up to “E” Road.

E Road from “P” Road junction up to “C” Road.

F Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.

G Road from N.S. Road to “E” Cross Road.

N.S. Road (South and North Bound) from Mafatlal Bath Signal to Air India Junction.

Veer Nariman Road (South and North Bound) from Churchgate Junction to Sundarmal Junction.

Note: Vehicles parked in restricted areas will be subject to e-challan and towing.

3. Changes in Routine Traffic Pattern:

D Road will be one-way (from West to East) for vehicular traffic from its junction at N.S. Road (Marine Drive) towards “E” Road.

E Road will be one-way (South Bound) for all types of vehicular traffic from the junction at D Road towards the junction at C Road.

4. Instructions for Spectators for Easier Access to the Stadium:

Gate 01, 02 & 07 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards D Road.

Gate 04 & 05A Ticket Holders: Alight at Marine Lines Station and walk towards F Road.

Gate 03 Ticket Holders: Alight at Churchgate Station and walk towards N.S. Road Footpath.

All spectators coming via N.S. Road (Marine Drive) should use the footpath and not walk on the road.

Spectators arriving by car must alight at designated drop points marked on N.S. Road.

To avoid inconvenience, the Mumbai Traffic Police urges spectators to use public transport and follow the designated walking routes to access the stadium. The temporary traffic restrictions and diversions are aimed at ensuring a smooth traffic flow and preventing congestion in the surrounding areas.

The advisory has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and will be strictly enforced on match day. For real-time traffic updates, commuters can follow @MTPTrafficUpdates on social media or contact the Mumbai Traffic Police helpline.