Thursday, September 22 2005 13:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has been provided police security from today (Sept 22, 2005) in the wake of alleged murder plot hatched by Bollywood starlet Preeti Jain, with the help of a former aide of gangster turned politician Arun Gawli,police said.

Bhandarkar had made a plea for security cover earlier this week, they added.

"Mumbai police have accepted my request and have provided security from today," Madhur Bhandarkar told sources in Mumbai today.

Preeti had allegedly given a 'supari' (contract) to former Gawli aide Naresh Pardesi to eliminate Bhandarkar, police has said.

The investigations in the case have led to the arrest of Preeti, Pardesi, and three more men who were allegedly supposed to execute the plan to eliminate Bhandarkar.

A country-made revolver and three cartridges have also been seized, while Preeti and Pardesi were made to undergo scientific tests to assess the details of the alleged conspiracy.