PTI

Mumbai, Jul 22: A Dubai-based aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, who allegedly identified targets for extortion, has been arrested by a city police team in Bangalore, a senior police official said on Sunday.

Rajesh Jham was arrested on Friday by the Mumbai police while he was in Bangalore to conduct his daughter's wedding.

"Jham, who lived in Dubai, used to collect information on city-based businessmen and pass it on so that extortion calls could be made to them," Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria told PTI on Sunday.

"We received information about a month ago that he would be in Bangalore. Accordingly we sent a team there, which was successful in arresting him."

Jham was also allegedly a bookie who took bets on cricket matches. Police will question him about other financial dealings and the network of Shakeel's gang in the city, Maria said.

He is also wanted for his alleged role in a 2005 case in which a jeweller was stabbed after he did not pay the extortion money demanded by the gang.