Mangalore: Rashid Malbari threatens CCB inspector, case filed
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Aug 31: City Crime Branch (CCB) inspector Venkatesh Prasanna has lodged a complaint in Bunder police station that Rashid Malbari, who was recently convicted and sentenced for possessing illegal arms, threatened to kill him in the court premises soon after the court judgment was pronounced.
Rashid Malbari (42), said to be an accomplice of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Mohammed Hashim, was convicted for possession of illegal weapons and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment by Mangalore’s fourth district and session court.
The last stage of hearing was held by justice B K Nayak on August 26. The quantum of punishment was pronounced on August 29.
The sentence consists of five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the penalty will attract one more years of rigorous imprisonment.
Public prosecutors Shiva Prasad Alva and Manjunath Bhat had argued on behalf of the government and advocate Purushotham Poojary had argued on behalf of the convicts.
The weapons found in the possession were not banned weapons so they can be imprisoned for a maximum of three years and should be released, argued advocate Purushotham Poojary on behalf of the convicts.
Poojary has said that the judgment will be contested in the high court. He said that police had 'created' evidences in order to obtain an adverse judgment. Malbari has already completed 4.5 years in the police custody and he will finish his punishment in another five months.
The allegation that he had come to kill Pramod Mutalik and Varun Gandhi, was declared false in the court. Poojary opined that the case relating to illegal possession of weapons will also be declared false in the high court.
As regards death threat to inspector Venkatesh Prasanna, a case registered at the Bunder police station, the advocate said that the convict might have said something out of pain after the judgment. "It cannot be considered as a death threat. Is there any meaning for the threats by a convict?" he questioned.
What is in the chargesheet?
Rashid Malbari and group were arrested on March 29, 2009 at Kasargod’s Chattanchal by the then DCIB inspector Dr H N Venkatesh Prasanna and squad. An 9mm pistol and live bullets were seized from them. Rashid Malbari’s accomplices Mohammed Hashim, Sayaf and Ibu alias Ibrahim were the others who were arrested.
The three had planned to kidnap a businessman coming to Mangalore from Dubai, demand a ransom of Rs five crore for his release and use the money to murder Varun Gandhi and Pramod Mutalik. Based on this information, the three were arrested by the DCIB police near NH 66 in Talapady. The pistol and four live bullets were found on the left side of Hashim’s waist.
'Made in USA' marking was found on the pistol. On searching Hashim’s purse, a cover with 'C S' written on it was found. Hashim had explained that C S stood for Chota Shakeel. They had admitted that they were Rashid Malbari’s accomplices when questioned at Ullal police station. Rashid Malbari was then arrested from a house in Chattanchal.
A USA made auto pistol was found in the house cupboard where Malbari was staying. The writings ‘only for public supply’ were inscribed on it. Besides that, a total of thirty one items consisting of Chinese currency, cards of various countries, and mobile sim cards were found in his possession, states the charge sheet submitted by the police to the court.
The police complaint was registered at Ullal police station and inspector T D Nagaraj had submitted the chargesheet against eight suspects.
Rashid Malbari is also a suspect in cases such as attempt to murder Chota Rajan in Bangkok in 2002, murder of Bal Dongre in Kuala Lumpur in 2005 and killing of Chota Rajan’s accomplices John and Prashanth at Bykampady, Mangalore in 1998.