Date:15/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/15/stories/2007031521670500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ravi Poojari trying to gain foothold in city

K.V. Subramanya

He is reported to be finding it difficult in Mumbai

He has employed his trusted men in the city

BANGALORE: Investigation into the shooting incident at Shabnman Developers on February 15 has revealed that the Mumbai underworld operator Ravi Poojari, who is based abroad, is trying to shift his activities to Bangalore as his henchmen in Mumbai are on the run.

After arresting 11 accomplices of Poojari in connection with the shooting incident at the real estate agency owned by former corporator K.S. Samiullah, the police have learnt that the underworld operator is keen on establishing a foothold over Bangalore's booming real estate business.

Sources in the city police told The Hindu on Tuesday that Poojari was finding it tough in Mumbai although his henchmen were continuing with extortions by attacking builders.

While some of his key aides were arrested by the Ullasnagar police, Suresh Basappa Poojari, who was looking after Ravi Poojari's India activities, had to flee Mumbai. Suresh, who is now at large, had camped in Bangalore for some time recently to mobilise men and resources for the gang and to plan the activities here, the sources said.

Ravi Poojari has his trusted men in Bangalore, whom he pays Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 a month. A martial arts instructor and a stunt director, Kaviraj, who has been arrested in the Shabnam Developers shoot out case, is important among them. He has been in touch with Poojari for four years and he was even planning to move to Mumbai. Further, Poojari and Kaviraj have links with some local underworld dons, the sources said.

Referring to the "Hindu don" card played by Poojari, who had claimed that he had attacked Mr. Samiullah as he was investing underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's money in Bangalore's real estate business, the sources said there were many Hindu builders whom the underworld operator had planned to target.

The Shabnam Developers incident was the second case in Bangalore in which Poojari is allegedly involved. He is an accused in the sensational murder of builder Subbaraju, who was shot dead by Mumbai sharpshooters at his office on Seshadripuram Main Road in January 2001 in connection with a dispute over a prime property on Cunningham Road.