'Dawood's man' calls up Maharashtra CM's house, security beefed up
Premium- Someone called up on 'Matoshree' phone number twice on Saturday night and said Dawood Ibrahim wanted to talk with Uddhav Thackeray, an official said
- According to a message from Maharashtra CMO, the Cabinet members termed it as a 'serious issue' and were of the view that the Centre should look into it
Mumbai: An unidentified man allegedly called up Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's personal residence 'Matoshree' in Bandra here, saying that he was calling from Dubai on behalf of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, a police official said on Sunday.
The caller rang up twice around 10.30 pm on Saturday, following which the police beefed up security at Thackeray's bungalow located in Kalanagar Colony, the official said.
"Someone called up on 'Matoshree' phone number two times on Saturday night and said Dawood Ibrahim wanted to talk with CM Uddhav Thackeray. However, the telephone operator did not transfer the call to the CM," the official said."
"The caller did not reveal his identity, but only said that he was calling from Dubai on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim. Both the calls were received around 10.30 pm," he added.
The local police were later informed about the calls, following which extra security force was deployed outside the bungalow, the official said.
According to him, no case was registered in this connection.
Talking to PTI, a top police official said, "We are trying to verify whether the calls received were from Dubai or some other place. Investigation is on."
The Cabinet members termed it as a "serious issue" and were of the view that the Centre should look into it.
"The issue of threat to CM's residence was discussed in today's Cabinet meeting. Everyone was of the view that it's a serious issue and Centre should also look into it. Home Minister Anil Deshmukh told the State Cabinet that police has started the investigation," said Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office.
State Transport Minister Anil Parab, however, dismissed reports that the caller gave a threat to blow up the chief minister's residence.
"There was no threat to blow up 'Matoshree'," he said.
"As per the preliminary information, the caller said he was Dawood Ibrahim's aide and wanted to speak to the chief minister. Police have been informed about the calls and a probe is on," the Shiv Sena leader said.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
