Dawood Gang Member Abdul Rashid of Mangalore Arrested in Dubai

Press Trust of India

Mumbai, Nov. 18 : The Maharashtra Police has arrested a member of the Dawood gang, who is also reportedly the mastermind of a gang involved in distribution of fake Indian currency from Dubai.

Abdul Rashid Hussainar Puttur (32), a native of Mangalore in Karnataka was arrested yesterday in Dubai by the Anti Terrorism Squad in Dubai and deported to India, ATS Chief K P Raghuvanshi said adding, "We took his custody yesterday at the Delhi Airport."

In a remand application filed before a local court today, the ATS said the accused is associated with the Dawood gang and also mastermind of an international gang operating from Dubai that distributed fake Indian currency in the country using the hawala channel.

The ATS had in July last year arrested two of Abdul's fellow gang members Gufran Farookhi and Hasan Sheikh in suburban Chembur with fake Indian currency of face value Rs 1,47,500 even as another gang member, Abdul Kadir alias K T successfully evaded arrest.

The court issued fresh warrants against the arrested duo who went absconding after being granted bail and also failed to appear at court proceedings, the ATS said.

Gufran is said to be in Dubai while K T is lodged in Dubai's Alkus Jail after he was arrested by authorities there.

"Two other wanted accused in the case, Aftab Batki and Gigi Thomas are also in Dubai and efforts are on from our side to bring them," ATS said.

The ATS has registered three cases against the gang while there is one each at the Chembur police station, Unit I of the Crime Branch and at Bangalore.

A local court remanded Abdul to police custody till December 2