Monday, April 4 2005 18:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Carrying on with its investigation in the smuggling of Gutka machines to Pakistan, the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) today (Apr 4, 2005) questioned Gutka baron Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal even as the agency was yet to find any concrete proof linking him and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Despite claims by CBI Director U S Misra that the agency had information about the links between Gutka barons and the Dawood gang, sources said the agency was yet to get any concrete proof regarding this apart from a confessional statement by an accused arrested by Mumbai Police in January.

Misra had told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday (Apr 2, 2005) that Dhariwal, Goa Gutka owner J M Joshi, underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his brother Anees Ibrahim "were in touch with each other."

Emerging after three-and-a-half questioning today, Dhariwal told reporters that he had come to the CBI office to clarify his position.

The Gutka baron categorically denied any links with the underworld and said, "These are only allegations and I have appeared before the CBI to clarify."

"I will come whenever the CBI needs me," he replied when asked whether the agency had asked him to appear again for questioning.

Dhariwal, who arrived in India from Dubai on March 31, was quizzed by the CBI about his alleged links with underworld don and smuggling of two Gutka manufacturing machines to Karachi through Dubai, the sources said.

Dhariwal, after coming from Dubai, had downplayed any rift with his one-time partner and owner of Goa Gutka J M Joshi who has already undergone two lie-detector tests in the case.

The Manikchand Gutka owner may also undergo the test if needed, the sources added.

Struggling to establish any link between Joshi and the underworld, the CBI wrapped up a second lie detection test on him on March 28. He had come out clean in the first lie detection test by answering 13 of the 14 questions correctly.

A Mumbai court had issued non-bailable warrants against Dhariwal and Joshi for their alleged underworld links.

CBI has registered a case against four persons, including Anees Ibrahim, for alleged smuggling of gutka manufacturing machinery to Karachi and for extortion in the gutka case.

The cases were registered against Zamurrduin Ansari, Rajesh Panchariya alias Jumbo Mohammad Farooq Mansurian and Anees Ibrahim under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and MCOCA.