MUMBAI: With the arrest of gangster Chhota Rajan’s aide Arif Arafat Lokhandwala with two sophisticated weapons and 28 rounds, the city crime branch foiled a major contract killing of a builder from Mira Road.
Lokhandwala was in touch with the Dawood aide and 1993 serial blasts accused Javed Chikna, who is based in Pakistan, over phone.
The anti-extortion cell of the city crime branch intimated the victim and Thane police have provided him security. Lokhandwala was arrested on Saturday following a tipoff. Police booked him under the Arms Act and are trying to figure out the motive. He has been remanded to police custody.
Police have found a chit containing the name of the builder, his picture, description, registration numbers of two luxury cars with the colour description and his office and residential addresses. Police have also found that the accused was directly talking to Chikna over WhatsApp and other apps and was in constant touch with him over WhatsApp chats.
“We invoked IPC sections 120 of criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder after collecting evidence,’’ said an officer. There are eight offences against Lokhandwala.
