Five police teams formed to trace ‘missing’ informer

The Bandra police have formed five teams to track down Afzal Paani, a police informer, after he tried to falsely implicate two Kutch-based businessmen.

The Bandra police have formed five teams to track down Afzal Paani, a police informer, after he tried to falsely implicate two Kutch-based businessmen.

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The police have been visiting places where he was spotted frequently, but have not been able to find him till now.

The police suspect that he could have left the city to evade arrest and have asked their informants for any information on Paani. On May 9, the Bandra police had arrested Riyaz Kashmiri for illegal possession of arms. During interrogation, Kashmiri told the police that Paani had promised to bail him out after he was arrested.

Kashmiri said he had approached Paani for help since he needed Rs1.5 lakh for his mother’s treatment. Paani promised to help him if he went to Bandstand in Bandra (West) with two revolvers and a few bullets. In dire need, Kashmiri agreed, the police said.

One of Paani’s men informed the Bandra police that Kashmiri had been given a contract to kill a businessman in the area.

When questioned, Kashmiri claimed that the two men had given him the weapon. However, he later revealed Paani’s involvement. The police also found out that Paani was paid Rs10 lakh by a third party to falsely implicate Sarang and Zafar.

KMM Prasanna, deputy commissioner of police, zone 9, said, “Earlier, Kashmiri had given a different version of the events, but later accepted that Paani had instructed him to do the job. We are trying to trace Paani.”