Kerala Police write to Interpol seeking Pujari’s custody

Kochi: The Kerala Police have sent a letter to the Interpol seeking custody of underworld don Ravi Pujari arrested abroad. He is a suspect in the Kochi beauty parlour shooting case and required for interrogation, says the letter. However, it is uncertain when the don will be brought to India.

The beauty parlour owned by actor Leena Maria Paul was attacked on December 15 last year by two bike-borne assailants, who left a slip with Pujari’s name. The actor told the police that she had received calls from Pujari asking for Rs 25 crore in the days leading to the shooting.

The voice on the phone was verified to be that of Pujari. Since arresting him from abroad was near impossible, the investigation focused on local assailants. That is when Pujari was arrested in Senegal on another case. The Kerala Police's intervention comes at a time when RAW and other Indian intelligence agencies are trying to extradite him.

Pujari is involved in more than 70 cases in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. It is improbable to get the criminal to Kerala since the cases in other states are older than the beauty parlour shooting. The letter is an effort to make an early claim.

Pujari was not a suspect in the first FIR registered in the shooting case that hinged on the security guard’s statement. The police are preparing another report that includes Pujari’s name as given by Leena in her statement to be presented in the court. This is essential to get the suspect for interrogation.

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