Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 8: Rakesh alias Altaf, who hails from Ullal, and who is active in underworld activities in the coastal belt, had come into contact with D-Company and became its recruitment agent in the state. He changed his name to Rakesh to shield himself from action in subversive activities, the police have said.

Police city crime branch investigation at Bengaluru has revealed that Altaf worked to plan murders of Hindu leaders in Karnataka and start communal riots with help of volunteers who were recruited by him. A few days back, red corner notice for his arrest was issued through the Interpol. Although there is information that Altaf is hiding somewhere in Dubai and many associates of this fugitive were questioned, his hideout could not be traced, police sources said.

The police stumbled across activities of Altaf when investigating shootout at Akhter Shami alias Chetan, a real estate businessman, at Times Bar and Restaurant at Residency Road Bengaluru in August 2015. The officials also came to know that Chhota Shakeel, a trusted lieutenant of Dawood Ibrahim, had supported Altaf to extend activities from the city to Bengaluru. He was counted among trusted aides of Dawood Ibrahim on the lines of Rashid Malbari and Jawed Chikna, Mumbai. Madoor Yusuf, who was killed during group clashes in the prison here sometime back, was also close to Altaf, it is said.

The police also found that Altaf had recruited several persons and got them introduced to Chhota Shakeel. Dawood gang also provided arms and cash amounting to Rs 25 lac for murdering HIndu leaders in Karnataka over the last several years through Chhota Shakeel, police officials informed.