Mangalore: Varun Gandhi was Rashid Malabari's Target ?
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (RS/SP)
Mangalore, Apr 1: Rumours making rounds in the region claim that the arrested Rashid Malabari, accomplice of Chota Shakeel, had planned to execute Varun Gandhi, who got mired in controversy after spewing venomous words of vengeance against the minority community during electioneering at Pilibhit.
Most of the Hindi national channels came out with the news that the gang was planning to target Varun Gandhi, son of Maneka Gandhi.
A television news channel carried the news, claiming it to be the police version that Rashid Malabari was engaged by Chota Shakeel, who was hired to kill Varun, to complete the task. But the policemen in the city have so far not come out with details of the personality against whom the gang was hatching a plan.
Western range inspector general of police Gopal Hosur said that the matter is under investigation and hence, the policemen will not be disclosing any details of their findings at this juncture.
But it is certain that the arrested five were conspiring to execute a plan relating to the ensuing Lok Sabha election. It is said, they planned to kidnap a politician, demand a ransom of five crore rupees and to kill him if the ransom is not paid.
Varun Gandhi, BJP Lok Sabha candidate, has been marked by certain groups for his derogatory utterances against the minority community in India.
Along with Rasheed Malabari, Sahil Ismail sheikh, Sayaf T A, Ibrahim Kaup and Mohammad Hasim were arrested. They have been remanded to judicial custody till April 13.
The police sources said, Malabar will be interrogated by Mumbai and other state policemen too, as his name is linked with five murder cases. He is also wanted by the Interpol in connection with a murder case in Kuala Lumpur.
The police produced him in the court on April 1 morning, for orders. The court has reserved its orders. He will either continue in judicial custody for the present, or might also be handed over to police custody. The orders are expected to be pronounced by Wednesday evening.