Gangster Faheem Machmach aide arrested in Surat

MUMBAI: Police have arrested an aide of gangster Faheem Machmach from Surat for allegedly demanding money from a businessman here.

Zia Ul Haque was arrested for allegedly demanding Rs 50 lakh from a businessman on behalf of Machmach in a 2006 case.

Haque was arrested by the Surat police 15 days ago and was handed over to the City Police yesterday.

An official from the Anti-Extortion Cell said Haque hadallegedly supplied weapons to another accused in the case.

According to police, Haque was arrested in 2000 for a counterfeit currency case, and was granted bail in 2005 but he jumped bail and was involved in two cases of firing in Surat.

Haque has been charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and has been remanded by a court to police custody till August 2.

Seven persons have already been arrested in the case and weapons had been recovered from them.