Arrested deputy collector may have underworld links:Police

The crime branch of the Mumbai police today said they were investigating whether the deputy collector of MHADA Nitesh Thakur, arrested for threatening a builder, has any underworld links.
    
Thakur and his brother Nilesh were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly threatening a builder Mukesh Wagela.
    
"We suspect (they have)underworld links but we are still examining it," said Deven Bharti, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).
    
While a senior police officer said that it is a unique case where links have been established between a senior government officer (Nitesh Thakur) and the underworld.
    
The police sources also said that investigations have revealed that Thakurs owned an office in Dubai.
    
"We suspect that the accused have underworld links but we are also investigating if they have connection with wanted criminals who are based outside India," said the police.
     
According to the police, Nilesh owed Wagela Rs14.5 crore but instead of repaying the builder, he used gangsters to extort more cash. The police also said that Wagela got threatening calls from Dubai wherein the caller allegedly threatened him to settle the dispute with Thakur or else face dire consequences.
    
Earlier the police had said that they suspect that Thakurs had amassed wealth worth Rs500 crore.
     
A local court today extended their police custody till February 18. Nitesh Thakur was officer on special duty at JJ Hospital before joining Mhada (Maharashtra Housing Area
Development Authority) in 2006.