Arafat Arif Lokhandwala was in touch with Dawood Ibrahim’s aide Javed Chikna on WhatsApp who is based in Karachi, Pakistan. Builder’s security beefed up.
The Mumbai Police’s crime branch has foiled a major contract killing of a Mira Road-based builder who has several big projects in the vicinity after it arrested Arafat Arif Lokhandwala, an aide of gangster Chhota Rajan on Sunday with two sophisticated country-made pistols, 28 rounds of live cartridges and extra magazines.
According to sources, Arafat was in touch with India’s most wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim aide Javed Chikna based in Pakistan on WhatsApp and other app-based calls and was in constant touch with him.
The crime branch has informed the builder and the Mira Bhayander – Vasai Virar (MBVV) police. Police have beefed up the security of the builder and inquired further from him.
During the search operation, police have found a chit containing the name of the builder, his picture, description, two registration numbers of two high-end cars with the colour description and office as well his residence address from Lokhandwala.
“As of now, we have booked him for arms act but will soon invoke the sections criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder after collecting evidence,” said an official.
Also, an Anti-Extortion Cell of Crime Branch is also investigating who has handed over the arms and ammunition to him at Byculla.
Serial offender
Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had received information that Arif was about to come to the Byculla area. As soon as the accused reached the spot, the police arrested him. Police has registered a case against Arafat Lokhandwala under the Arms Act. Police has remanded him after produced in a local court.
Meanwhile, in 2003, accused Arafat allegedly killed a developer in Vashi and assaulted a man. According to police, the accused is a resident of Pydhoni. He has several charged with attempted murder, robbery, fraud and chain snatching in Mumbai and Pune. In 2009 and 2019, twice Lokhandwala has hurled footwear at the Chief Metropolitan Judge at Sewri Court. He has given the reason for the act, due to delayed judgment in his case. A judge has fined him Rs. 200 at that time.
