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Shakeel tapes nailed Bharat Shah: Police

In the taped conversation of Shah with Chhota Shakeel, the two have been found to be discussing about Rs 7.5 million extortion money from a leading businessman Morani and a $50,000 havala racket involving a Dubai-based person called Bhatija, Bhujbal told reporters in Bombay.

"There is ample evidence to prove that Shah had been one of the important links used to pressurise film personalities to act in films, ensure shooting dates, reduce their rates and deal with finance matters," he said.

Shah was on Monday summoned by Unit Two of the Crime Branch for interrogation, where he was allowed to hear the taped conversation, Bhujbal said adding that Shah was subsequently arrested after he identified the taped voice as his own.

The recorded conversation had taken place on the telephone owned by the producer of the controversial film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke , Nasim Rizvi, prior to the latter's arrest, Bhujbal said adding that Rizvi had also confessed to Shah's direct links with the mafia.

"Shah's involvement with the underworld had been beyond financing films," the deputy chief minister said.

Replying to a question regarding the investment of underworld money in several other films produced by Shah, Bhujbal said investigations on these lines were currently on.

"We will have to wait and watch," he said.

Though several film personalities had been called for questioning it did not mean that all of them were involved in criminal activities, he clarified. "The questioning could only be for collecting information," he said adding that unless the police have evidence, none could be held guilty.

Bhujbal, however, warned the film industry to refrain from supporting the mafia or taking its support and to stop vitiating the atmosphere by the unholy nexus.

Refusing to confirm whether leading actresses Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee would be summoned for interrogation, he said police were still investigating whether there were any other film personalities who were involved with the underworld and films produced with underworld money.

He also denied that the state government had been under pressure regarding Shah's arrest.

"The state government is not under pressure from anybody, neither will it succumb to any pressure while taking the right steps," Bhujbal asserted.

EARLIER REPORTS
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Film financier Bharat Shah questioned
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Producer Nazeem Rizvi confesses to underworld links

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