The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested an alleged aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, who the police said was planning to target Pakistan-born Canadian writer Tarek Fatah, who hosts a popular show called Fatah ka Fatwa on a private Hindi news channel, and is often seen in panel discussions concerning religion.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwah said Junaid Chaudhary, 21, was nabbed on the intervening night of June 7 and 8 from Wazirabad road in northeast Delhi. The police officer said Chaudhary was planning to target the writer, known for his controversial remarks.
Kushwah did not say anything on what Chaudhary was planning. A senior official, on conditions of anonymity said that Fatah was on the radar of the gangster’s aide. Chaudhary was reportedly carrying out reconnaissance of certain places in Delhi, even as Fatah was not in the city at that point of time.
DCP Kushwah further said, a pistol of 7.65 mm and four live cartridges were were seized from him. He was arrested near Gagan cinema in main Wazirabad road at 9 pm on Wednesday night, the police official said.
A Delhi Court has sent accused Junaid Chaudhary in three days police custody as police told the court that further investigation was needed and the accused needed to be questioned more. The entire conspiracy needed to be unearthed for which more investigation is required, police told court.
Fatah, it may be remembered, had reportedly been the target of a terror plot that was foiled in April this year by the arrest of several terrorists in raids by the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) of various States.
Chaudhary was arrested in June last year along with three others namely. Police said they found weapons and “hawala” money sent by Chhota Shakeel, but was released on bail within four months.
Police said they had been planning to kill Hindu Mahasabha chief Swami Chakrapani in Ghaziabad at that time. He allegedly contacted Chhota Shakeel again. But after his bail was cancelled, he was sent to Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
After he was again released on bail, he got in touch with Chhota Shakeel, a senior police official said, adding Chaudhary then started carrying out the gangster’s Delhi-based activities. He is currently being interrogated by a police team, said the police official.
Fatah, meanwhile, is no stranger to controversy, death threats and murder plots. Kolkata-based Muslim cleric Imam Barkati had announced on live TV a reward for anyone who could behead Tarek Fatah.