Date:02/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/02/stories/2002080208491100.htm

National

Is the underworld now targeting Delhi businessmen?

NEW DELHI AUG. 1 After Bollywood, are underworld dons such as Abu Salem targeting the rich in the Capital?

It appears so, if tapes, purportedly containing conversations between the former Dawood henchman and a Delhi-based businessman and provided as evidence by the police in a court here, are to be believed. Five associates of Salem are facing trial in a court here in connection with running an extortion racket. ``Talk to me tomorrow...I am a little busy right now and we will talk tomorrow... but I did not like the way you spoke to me in the morning...I can show you what price you will have to pay for it,'' says a taped voice purportedly belonging to Salem and broadcast by Star News tonight.

``Nothing will happen to us but it can create problems for you,'' Salem tells the unidentified businessman, according to the excerpts. The tapes also have conversation in ``Salem's voice'' asking one of his contacts to take back money and mobile card from one of the petty criminals and give it to new recruits. ``Take the mobile back from him ...he will give back the mobile card and some money Rs. 10,000 - Rs 15,000. Take all this and give it to some other boys who are coming there,'' it says.

The special judge, Prem Kumar, took cognisance of the chargesheet filed against five associates of Salem including a woman and fixed August 5 for arguments on the charge. — PTI