Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, Jul 1: Two people said to be aides of the notorious Ravi Pujari gang were arrested by crime branch police on Thursday June 30. The two were planning to gain entry into the residence of a film personality in a bid to threaten him, it is learnt.

The crime branch officials arrested them before they could carry out their plan. Sources said the personality targetted was film producer Govind Nihalani.

"The two were caught before they could carry out a shootout outside a film personality's residence," police said.

Officials of the anti-extortion cell under the crime branch had received information on Wednesday June 29 that Kalam Nazeem Khan and Syed Shahid Hussain, on instructions from Ravi Pujari, would be threatening Nihalani by entering his house and opening fire. The two were arrested on Thursday and remanded in police custody till July 8.

Khan and Hussain, both from Kurla and natives of Uttar Pradesh, were in possession of two high-quality 9 mm pistols with foreign markings, nine rounds and three mobile phones, which the police confiscated. Their motorcycle was also seized. Police also found a threat letter with an international number.

Sources said that a police team has been deployed outside Nihalani's residence to keep guard.