Ulama alleges threat from gangster

Mumbai: Gulzar Azmi, secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maharashtra’s legal cell, has filed a complaint with the JJ Marg police, alleging that a fugitive gangster had called and threatened him on Saturday.
The Ulama represents more than 200 persons, allegedly involved in blasts all over the country, sources said. Azmi said he would address a press conference on Monday.His staffers said the gangster issued the threat after media reports of the Ulama’s alleged underworld links and funding.
Police commissioner Rakesh Maria has directed the anti-extortion cell to look into Azmi’s complaint and register an offence, sources said.
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar had in the in the state assembly last week sought a ban on the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, the biggest NGO working for the Muslim community, alleging that Azmi has underworld connections and that it promotes ‘terrorism’ by providing legal assistance to terror accused. Shelar alleged that Azmi and his brother Mustaqeem have links with gangster Chhota Shakeel. Shelar had demanded that the Ulama should be immediately banned.
``We have informed senior police officials and have filed a written complaint with the JJ Marg police station. We will share a lot of information on the politics behind the threat calls at the press conference,’’ an Ulama official said.
Police sources said the gangster wants to portray himself as a patriot. “He is petty criminal who threatens film-stars and builders, demands huge sums and settles for petty sums. We have wiped out his module with the arrest of more than 22 members in two months,” an officer said.
All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Samajwadi Party had condemned Shelar’s statement.