Tuesday, October 18 2005 14:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Gangster turned MLA, Arun Gawli today (Oct 18, 2005) appeared before Agripada police in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged murder conspiracy hatched by starlet Preeti Jain along with a former Gawli aide to eliminate film director Madhur Bhandarkar, police said.

Gawli, who was elected legislator from Chinchpokli assembly constituency as an independent, had reportedly tipped police about the plot after getting information about it from his supporters.

The subsequent probe led to the arrest of Jain, former Gawli aide Naresh Pardesi and four others, besides seizure of a country-made revolver and some bullets.

Jain had hit the headlines last year when she charged Bhandarkar of sexually exploiting her after promising to offer roles in Hindi films. Bhandarkar later denied the allegation.

However, Gawli's claim to have busted a conspiracy was short-lived as Pardesi, during scientific tests performed on him, is alleged to have claimed that the MLA was aware of the plan since it was hatched and had even accepted money from Bhandarkar to turn the tide against Jain.