Wednesday, November 9 2005 10:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Gangster-turned-politician, Arun Gawli was yesterday (Nov 8, 2005) booked on extortion charges by Mumbai crime branch, which suspects that he forced a businessman to pay a huge amount to settle a business dispute, police said.

A senior Mumbai crime branch official said that Gawli could be arrested any time now, along with his lieutenant and corporator Sunil Ghate, who has also been booked as co-accused in the case.

Gawli and Ghate are alleged to have forced a businessman from central Mumbai suburbs to settle a business dispute with his brother a month ago. In return, the Chinchpokli MLA is alleged to have extorted Rs 15 lakh from the businessman, police sources said.

"Ghate was questioned some time back in connection with the case, but we are yet to question Gawli," a crime branch official said, adding that at least half a dozen Gawli men have also been booked as co-accused in the case.