NIA seeks US, SA help to probe plot to kill RSS, BJP men

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified the main conspirator – Zahid Miyan alias ‘Jabo’, based in South Africa -- who allegedly arranged the list of RSS and BJP leaders to be targeted on the directions of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s henchmen Chhota Shakeel and Javed Chikna.
Top sources said a non-bailable warrant has been issued against Jabo to obtain an Interpol Red Corner Notice against him.
The NIA will send a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request to the US and South Africa seeking details of emails and chats on which conspirators interacted while planning and executing the murders of two Bharuch (Gujarat) based right-wing leaders -- Shirish Bangali and Pragnesh Mistry -- on November 2.
Top sources in the government, in the know of investigations, also said the plan to eliminate BJP and RSS leaders may have been hatched by D Company to avenge the hanging of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts accused Yakub Memon earlier this year.
Sources said Jabo was a D Company man working out of South Africa.
“He received directions from Javed Patel alias Chikna and Chhota Shakeel to prepare a list of Hindu leaders. Jabo then contacted Yunus Shaikh alias Manjaro in Bharuch while Javed Chikna’s brother Abid Patel was also tasked to assist him. They identified RSS and BJP leaders after which a list was allegedly shared with Jabo and Chikna in South Africa through emails and chats,” said a source.
Sources said a list of at least 15 such leaders was initially prepared. Officials, however, refused to divulge whether any national level leader was targeted as well.
The contract killers were paid Rs 50 lakh to eliminate Bangali and Mistry, after which Gujarat Police arrested seven persons including Abid Patel and Manjaro.
The probe was handed over to the NIA as the government found a “larger conspiracy” hatched in Pakistan to kill the leaders.
Officials added that Javed Chikna, who handled D Company’s businesses in South Africa, has now moved to Karachi.
The NIA is also likely to approach Dubai at a later stage during investigations as the conspirators may have travelled to India via Dubai and South Africa before the murders.
A case under UAPA has been registered in the matter and the seven arrested persons are being questioned by the agency.