The Delhi Police thought they had a big case on their hands when they intercepted a phone call between two underworld henchmen plotting the murder of a former Bollywood music director. Little did they know it would lead to an even bigger case — the spot-fixing scandal.
The international call purportedly discussed the logistics of assassinating Nadeem Saifi Akhtar, of the now defunct Nadeem-Shravan duo. “It was made by Sunil Dubai, who oversees Anees Ibrahim’s extortion, gambling and real estate interests in Mumbai, to his local contact,” a special cell officer involved with the investigation told HT. “The call was intercepted by Inspector Badrish Dutt.”
Dutt was recently found dead with his live-in partner in her Gurgaon flat under mysterious circumstances. Police say there is no connection between the case and his murder.
Akhtar — behind the music of hits such as Aashiqui, Raja Hindustani and Saajan — is accused of ordering a hit on media baron Gulshan Kumar through underworld don Abu Salem more than two decades ago. He currently lives in London. Kumar, a well-known Bollywood director and owner of the T-Series brand, was gunned down outside a Mumbai temple on August 12, 1997. Nadeem was acquitted by a city court in 2003 for lack of evidence.
On the phone, Dubai reportedly revealed Ibrahim's animosity towards Akhtar, whom he held responsible for the arrest of Salem, his trusted lieutenant.
{{/usCountry}}On the phone, Dubai reportedly revealed Ibrahim's animosity towards Akhtar, whom he held responsible for the arrest of Salem, his trusted lieutenant.
{{/usCountry}}That call, in turn, was part of a larger special cell investigation into the activities of the Mumbai underworld, including connections, if any, to terror funding.
"Since it was a matter for the police force of a different city, we alerted the Intelligence Bureau and left it to their discretion. But with our interest aroused… we kept listening," the officer said.