2 alleged kingpins in Deonar fire arrested

The two Shivaji Nagar-based alleged kingpins of the Deonar dumping ground fire case have been arrested with two more to be arrested, according to the police. They arrested accused were produced in court and remanded to police custody for two days on Saturday afternoon.

Two of the four kingpins on the hit list of the Shivaji Nagar police – Rafiq Khan (50) and Ateeq Khan (45), were arrested on Friday night with a separate police team formed to arrest the remaining two alleged ringleaders, Bhondu and Javed Qureshi.

DCP Shangramsingh Nishandar said, “We have arrested two kingpins in the fire case. Our investigation is going on and if necessary, we will make further arrests in the case.”

An officer on condition of anonymity said, “Ateeq, started work as a rag picker twenty years ago and has now become a gang leader who handles hundreds of rag pickers working under him.

Ateeq and Rafiq have three legal (BMC permission taken) and four illegal trucks to permission taken from the civic body) trucks and four illegal trucks to collect garbage from some areas of Mumbai. They head one of the most powerful garbage mafia gangs in Deonar. All other rag pickers work in the Deonar dumping ground on their orders.”

He said, “In 2010, it was alleged that Rafiq and Ateeq were involved in the murder of a man who started a rival group in Deonar dumping ground but later, the court acquitted both of them.”

Ateeq and Rafiq have been booked under six charges including Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

So far, 13 people have been arrested in connection with the fire at Deonar dumping ground apart from 18 youngsters who were detained and then released after they paid the fine.