Jamnagar: In a significant crackdown on organised crime, Jamnagar police have invoked the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act (GujCTOC) against two former opposition leaders of the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC), along with their gang members.

A total of 29 individuals have been booked under the stringent law, of whom 14 have been arrested so far. Police have taken action against former opposition leader Aslam Khilji and 18 members of his gang, registering a case at the Jamnagar City ‘A’ Division police station.

Jamnagar Superintendent of Police Dr Ravi Mohan Saini said that 13 accused, including Khilji, have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace five absconding suspects. Investigations indicate that Khilji and his associates have allegedly been involved in criminal activities since 2005.

Police records show that 46 cases have been registered against Khilji and his gang, including serious charges such as murder, attempt to murder, assault, rioting, criminal conspiracy, damage to public property, atrocities, gambling, land grabbing, and offences under the Arms Act.

In a parallel action, former opposition leader Altaf Khafi and his associates have also been booked under GujCTOC. Police said 52 cases have been registered against Khafi and his gang, involving offences such as attempted murder, extortion, criminal intimidation, assault, rioting, conspiracy, violations of the Money Lenders Act, the Arms Act, the NDPS Act, and murder.

One accused, Sahid Khafi, has been arrested in connection with the Khafi gang. Altaf and eight others are currently in jail and will be further interrogated, while police teams are searching for two more suspects linked to the group.

Investigators said Khafi and his associates have allegedly been involved in organised crime since 2008. Officials added that further action will be taken as the investigation progresses.

13 of 18 members of Aslam Karim Khilji gang arrested

Police have arrested 13 out of 18 members of former opposition leader Aslam Karim Khilji’s gang. Those arrested include Aslam Karim Khilji (resident of Patniwad), Shakir Rafik Khilji (Patni), Asif Mohammad Husen Khilji (Chopdafali), Rehan Iqbal Belim (Purbia Khadki), Saddam alias Indo Asgar Sheikh (Patniwad), Akil Asgar Sheikh (Patniwad), Asgar Ali alias Hasu Mohammad Husen Makwana (Bachunagar), Aftab alias Apu Mohammad Husen Makwana (Bachunagar), Mohammad alias Chor alias Mamlo Akhtar Panja (Patniwad), Rauf alias Bhuro Gulamhusen Belim (Patniwad), Maksud alias Pavan Abdul Razak Panja (Patniwad, Dhanirang), Ejaz alias Gokul Mohammad Husen Qureshi (Patniwad), and Hasan Haroon Basar (Vagherwado, Machhipith).

Meanwhile, a search is underway for the remaining accused, including Gani alias Gani Patel Umar Bashar (Vagherwado), Aslam Kadar Sheikh (Ghanchi area, outside Khadki), Ismail alias Dharar Hasan Mandliya (Khatkiwad), Nadeem Mohammad Husen Khilji (Patniwad, Huseni Chowk), and Latif alias Latif Bapu Haji Sheikh (Patniwad).

8 of 11 members of Altaf Gaffar Khafi gang already in jail

Out of 11 members of former opposition leader Altaf Gaffar Khafi’s gang, eight are currently lodged in jail. These include Altaf Gaffar Khafi (45, resident of Titodiwadi, outside Khojanaka), Sameer Shakil Chauhan (Patniwad, Piludi Fali), Junaid alias Juniyo Razak Chauhan (Patniwad), Mohsin alias Pachasiya Mahebub Rumi (near New Harshad Mill chawl), Istiyaq Yunus Qureshi (Maharaja Society), Tohit Khan alias Pappu Firoz Sheikh (Rabbani Park, Morkanda Road), Tabrez Rafik Halani (Titodiwadi Silver Society), and Hamid alias Rajo Janmamad Bloch (Khoja Naka, Titodiwadi).

One accused, Sahid Imtiyaz Khafi (Titodiwadi, near Khojanaka, Jamnagar), has been arrested, while police are searching for Abusufiyan Rehman Qureshi (near Aman Society) and Osman Musa Khafi (Harshad Mill chawl). DeshGujarat