Mumbai: An important witness in the case of alleged nexus of Bollywood with the underworld on October 16 bared the links of film producer Nasim Rizvi and his assistant Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh with Karachi-based gangster Chhota Shakeel.

Deposing in-camera before designated judge A P Bhangale, Arif Lakdawala, a city businessman, said that he had introduced noted directors Abbas and Mastan to Rizvi and Abdul Rahim at the instance of childhood friend Tariq Parveen to seek their confirmation for making film 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'.

The witness told prosecutor Rohini Salian that Tariq had also informed him that Rizvi and his assistant were Shakeel's men. He had taken the duo to Abbas and Mastan as the latter were living in his neighbourhood in South Mumbai.

To a question by defence lawyer Majeed Memon, the witness admitted that he had visited the car showroom of notorious gangster Abu Salem in Dubai during his visit in 1995-96.

The witness also admitted that he had dealt with Abu Salem in regard to car purchase transaction but denied knowledge that such an act was an offence.

Lakdawala said that his friend Tariq had told him that Chhota Shakeel had instructed him on telephone to introduce Abbas and Mastan to Rizvi and Abdul Rahim for directing the film 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'.

However, the witness said that he had no personal knowledge about Shakeel's talk with his friend Tariq. He further said that he would not be able to say whether Tariq was speaking the truth or exaggerating the matter.

The witness said that he would not be able to state when he had introduced Abbas and Mastan to Rizvi and his assistant.

Lakdawala denied a suggestion made by defence lawyer Majeed Memon that he was engaged in land grabbing cases with his friend Tariq.

Confronted with his statement recorded by police in another case to this effect, the witness said that it might be correct to say that he had indulged in land grabbing.

Asked if Tariq was right hand man of gangster Shakeel, the witness replied in the affirmative and said that he was now in Dubai and had called him on telephone four months back.

The witness also identified Abdul Rahim sitting in the dock. He said that he would be able to identify Rizvi also but he was not present in the court. (Rizvi has been hospitalised for treatment of spondylitis).

PTI