Saturday, December 3 2005 19:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A Sessions Court today (Dec 3,2005) granted anticipatory bail to underworld don-turned-politician Arun Gawli, who is fearing arrest in a case of alleged extortion complaint filed by city-based businessman Shakeel Qureshi.

The judge Abhay Thipsay ordered that in the event of Gawli's arrest he may be released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000.

The court asked Gawli, MLA from Chinchpokli in Mumbai, not (not) to leave the country without permission and also directed him to attend the concerned police station whenever called upon by the investigating officer.

According to police, Qureshi and his business partner Rajendra Doshi had a business dispute in which Gawli mediated and later demanded ransom.

After Qureshi filed complaint, Gawli moved the court for anticipatory bail fearing arrest.

However, Gawli's lawyer, Harshad Ponda argued Qureshi lodged complaint due to alleged police harassment.

Qureshi's wife too had approached metropolitan magistrate's court, complaining that her husband was being kept in confinement by police, to prevent him from backtracking on the complaint.

Meanwhile, Qureshi has moved the high court urging for permission to withdraw the complaint as he had lodged the same under pressure from police. The court would hear his plea in due course.