Mumbai: Over 150 calls exchanged between mastermind and ATS constable

The Versova police have arrested the mastermind who planned the Rs 49-lakh con job on a UP builder, and have learnt that he was regularly in touch with one of the ATS cops implicated in the case

Investigating the Rs 49-lakh con job involving cops from the Juhu unit of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the police have arrested the mastermind, Amit Shah, and have since established strong links between him and an ATS constable implicated in the case.

Cops learnt that the mastermind, Amit Shah, was constantly in touch with ATS constable Mahesh Dalvi (above). File pic

Even as the Versova police face the heat for allegedly trying to brush the involvement of the ATS cops under the carpet, sources said it is possible that someone from Versova police station was also part of the racket.

mid-day had broken the story about the ATS policemen staging an elaborate plan, which included the staged arrest of two accomplices, to cheat UP-based builder Akhilesh Chauhan of Rs 49 lakh (‘Instead of tackling terror, ATS cops turn conmen’, August 5).

The builder later identified the cops as constables Mahesh Dalvi, Santosh Sawaratkar, Santosh Bagve — all attached to Juhu (Chandan Chowkie) unit of the ATS. However, the role of Police Inspector Shashikant Jagdale has not yet been established.

Despite this, the police are yet to register any case against the ATS cops even though the three constables were transferred.

Calls galore
The Versova police have learnt that the mastermind, Shah, who was arrested on August 13, was continuously in touch with ATS constable Dalvi. Cops suspect the duo made the plan together, with over 150 calls exchanged between the two of them.

A police source said, “Over 150 calls were exchanged between Dalvi and Shah while the latter was on the run. The intention behind arresting two people in front of the builder (Chauhan) was to scare him so he wouldn’t go to the police.”

Versova cops involved?
Sources said someone from the Versova police might also be involved in the racket, since it appears that Shah had complete information of the workings of the department. Twice, when the Versova police went to nab two accused in the case, they had already escaped after being tipped off.

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