Maharashtra minister, MLAs, top cops attend wedding of Dawood Ibrahim's niece in Nashik

Mumbai: Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim may be hiding in Pakistan for decades, but he still maintains strong personal links with politicians and top policemen across Maharashtra. This became evident once again when a top Maharashtra government minister, MLAs and some policemen attended the wedding reception of the fugitive underworld don's niece in Nashik.

According to reports, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan, who is believed to be very close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and several MLAs from the ruling BJP were recently filmed attending the wedding reception of Dawood Ibrahim's niece on May 19.

Notably, Mahajan is the minister in the Fadnavis government for water conservation and medical education as well as the guardian minister of Nashik district.

Besides Mahajan, others who attended the wedding were ten top policemen from the area, BJP legislators Devyani Farande, Balasaheb Sanap and Seeema Hiray, Nashik mayor Ranjana Bhanasi and deputy mayor Prathamesh Gite (both of the BJP) and a section of local municipal councillors.

After local Marathi news channels aired the visuals of the high-profile wedding, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a detailed report in this regard from Nashik police chief.

“I have already told Nashik Police Commissioner to send a report on the matter,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying.

When quizzed by reporters, Mahajan said that he attended the wedding on invitation by the groom’s uncle, Shahar Khateeb, who is a religious leader in Nashik and participates in various medical camps organised by the health department. 

He also claimed that he was unaware of the bride’s relation with Dawood's family.