Thursday, May 12 2005 14:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Gutkha baron J M Joshi, facing allegations of forging links with the underworld, today (May 12, 2005) said he has received threatening calls from alleged henchmen of Pakistan-based don Dawood Ibrahim.

Joshi told sources several threatening calls were made at his office and residence in the past one month.

"I have been given a 12-hour security but it is not enough," Joshi said.

Joshi, owner of Goa Gutka, said his statements against the don and his associate Hamid Antulay had angered Ibrahim. "I have learnt that someone has been given a contract to kill me," Joshi said.

Joshi returned to India earlier this year to face probe in regard to his alleged links with underworld. Initially, Mumbai police probed the matter but later the case was transferred to CBI.

He has since been questioned by CBI who are investigating the case. Joshi has also undergone lie detector test conducted by CBI.

During interrogation, co-accused Jamiruddin Kalia alias Jumbo revealed that Joshi and another gutka king Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal had links with Dawood and had helped the don in setting up gutka business in Pakistan.

Jumbo also alleged that at their instance Gutka pouch manufacturing machinery was exported to Pakistan via Dubai. Based on the allegations, a Mumbai court had issued non-bailable warrant against both gutka barons but cancelled them after they returned to India from Dubai.

Joshi had earlier also received threats from gangster Ravi Poojari.