Surat: The city police on Wednesday demolished two illegal properties belonging to Limbayat area’s infamous gangster, Hashim Siddiqi. This action came after five members of Siddiqi’s gang attacked a photocopy shop owner and his friends on Sunday, terrorizing the locals.

Siddiqi has 20 cases registered against him since 2009, including attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act. Hashim is a migrant from Uttar Pradesh. He was first active in extortion crime in Udhna industrial estate in Surat. Evemtually he incresaed his activities of crime and formed a gang. The members of this gang would commit crime in Surat and then escape to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The gang was active in Limbayat, Udhna, Un and Sachin areas. Hashim had exorted money from a trader in Limbayat, Khatodara and Dindoli areas.

Zone 2 DCP Bhagirath Gadhvi told the media that after receiving information that anti-social elements had encroached on land outside Bhavna Nagar Society and set up an illegal gym and cricket box, they demolished these with the help of SMC.

On Sunday, Siddiqi’s associates Irman alias RPF, Ajju, Saddam, Firdaus, and Ayub attacked photocopy-shop owner Irfan Saiyed, his brother Irman, and friend Faizan with bats and sticks, acting on Siddiqi’s orders.

Police have arrested Siddiqi and his aide Imran, while four others remain at large. The city police commissioner has also invoked PASA against Siddiqi, transferring him to Bhuj jail on Wednesday night. DeshGujarat