Nikam, Pol refuse to release book on underworld don

The official launch of Marathi translation of journalist S Hussain Zaidi’s book Dongri to Dubai on Monday has been cancelled. Reason: Noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam and Pune police commissioner Gulabrao Pol have declined to attend the event that was to be held at Abasaheb Garware College. The book is based on the life of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Mehta Publishing House, the book’s publisher, had invited the noted public prosecutor and city police chief.

Terming it as dignifying the fugitive, Creative Foundation founder Sandeep Khardekar had shot off a letter to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan expressing displeasure towards the book release.

Speaking to DNA, Khardekar said, “Had Mehta Publishing House not cancelled the event, we would have stormed the function. We will not let anyone glorify the anti-India person,” he said.

Mehta Publishing House owner Sunil Mehta said, “We cancelled the programme because the dates of advocate Nikam and police commissioner Gulabrao Pol do not match.” However, Pol said, “I have informed the publishing house about my inability to attend the function. I normally do not attend such events.”

Distancing himself from the event, Nikam said, “The programme was cancelled so the question of me attending it does not arise.”