Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Nov 9: Interpol officials, with the assistance of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), have reportedly arrested underworld gangster Hemant Poojary abroad and are continuing efforts to bring him to India.
While several sources claim that he was arrested in Malaysia a few weeks ago, some other sources have reported that he was apprehended in Myanmar (Burma). The exact details of his arrest are yet to be confirmed. Maharashtra Police are also said to have contributed to his arrest.
Poojary, who was wanted in connection with more than 25 serious criminal cases, including the murder of businessman David D'Souza in Udupi, as well as several murder cases, assaults and death threats in Karnataka and Maharashtra, was considered one of the most wanted criminals.
Poojary's parents originally hail from Ermal in Udupi. He was born in Maharashtra. Since his family's roots were in Udupi, he reportedly used to visit Ermal several years ago.
In Mumbai, he initially associated with associates of underworld don Chhota Rajan and later developed into a shooter and extortionist. He came into prominence in connection with the 1999 murder of builder Shaukat Sarkar in Mumbai's Khar area. Subsequently, he became part of Chhota Rajan's close circle.
In 2002, Poojary parted ways with the Chhota Rajan gang and established his own criminal network, continuing his activities in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
He was allegedly involved in several high-profile murders, including the killing of Mumbai hotel businessman Ratnakar Shetty on December 21, 2001; hotel owner Mohammed Shafi on April 4, 2001; hotel owner Jaya Shetty on May 4, 2001; the murder of bomb blast accused Akbar Khan; and the murder of flower trader Sunil Sohans.
Untraceable for nearly 10 years
For nearly 10 years, there was no trace of Poojary, and police had reportedly presumed that he had died due to ill health.
However, his name surfaced in connection with the murder of businessman David D'Souza at Mudrangady on August 7. Initially, police were uncertain about his involvement. It was only after other accused in the murder case revealed details that investigators learnt that he was still alive.
Following the murder, businessmen, contractors and hotel owners in the district began receiving threatening calls demanding huge sums of money. Acting on the instructions of the home minister, district police registered a total of eight cases in the Shirva, Padubidri, Kaup and Manipal areas.
Police also arrested two accused, Suresh Amin and Harish Poojary, who were allegedly supplying mobile phone numbers to Poojary, and gathered further technical information during the investigation.
Mumbai police, who were searching for him, subsequently learnt that he was staying abroad. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him, and information reportedly obtained from within his close circle eventually helped the authorities trace and arrest him.
Efforts are now underway to bring him back to India to face the cases registered against him.