Mumbai:
What is the Home Minister of Maharashtra doing with men associated with the underworld and Dawood Ibrahim?
Footage shows RR Patil meeting a few alleged Dawood aides during an Eid function in Mumbai.
The Home Minister is seen with Salim Patel (the man in a white kurta and skull cap) giving him dry fruits. Salim works as a driver for Dawood Ibrahim's younger sister, Haseena Parkar.
Also seen near Patil is Mubin Qureshi, who was arrested for the murder of BJP MLA Prem Kumar Sharma, and was later released on bail. Qureshi also holds a post in the state Minority Commission. He says all cases against him are politically motivated and he hasn't been convicted in any of them.
When asked about his mingling with people reportedly close to Dawood, Patil said., "I am looking into the matter and I have given orders for investigation. I had gone to the Eid party held by the head of the minorities department. I am not aware who was invited for the party. There were a lot of people and I don't know anything about them."
He also stressed that if he were genuinely close to these men, he would not have invited the media to accompany him to this event
The Eid celebrations were at the home of state Minority Commissioner Naseem Siddiqui. Siddiqi says he was not aware of Salim Patel's association with anti-social elements, nor does he know Patel.
Siddiqui believes there is a conspiracy to malign and defame him and the Home Minister. He also said it was impossible to verify identity of hundreds of supporters, and people cannot be stopped from visiting political leaders on festive occasions.
Footage shows RR Patil meeting a few alleged Dawood aides during an Eid function in Mumbai.
The Home Minister is seen with Salim Patel (the man in a white kurta and skull cap) giving him dry fruits. Salim works as a driver for Dawood Ibrahim's younger sister, Haseena Parkar.
Also seen near Patil is Mubin Qureshi, who was arrested for the murder of BJP MLA Prem Kumar Sharma, and was later released on bail. Qureshi also holds a post in the state Minority Commission. He says all cases against him are politically motivated and he hasn't been convicted in any of them.
When asked about his mingling with people reportedly close to Dawood, Patil said., "I am looking into the matter and I have given orders for investigation. I had gone to the Eid party held by the head of the minorities department. I am not aware who was invited for the party. There were a lot of people and I don't know anything about them."
He also stressed that if he were genuinely close to these men, he would not have invited the media to accompany him to this event
The Eid celebrations were at the home of state Minority Commissioner Naseem Siddiqui. Siddiqi says he was not aware of Salim Patel's association with anti-social elements, nor does he know Patel.
Siddiqui believes there is a conspiracy to malign and defame him and the Home Minister. He also said it was impossible to verify identity of hundreds of supporters, and people cannot be stopped from visiting political leaders on festive occasions.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
