Mumbai : While fugitive Lalit Modi has been fighting several legal battles, his lawyer has been threatened by the underworld.
Mehmood M Abdi, who was driving his car, received a call on Sunday afternoon, in which the lawyer claimed that Ravi Pujari himself was on the line and threatened him not to defend Lalit Modi.
In a written complaint to the Oshiwara police, Abdi mentioned that the caller identified himself as Ravi Pujari, speaking from Australia. In his letter, Abdi mentions that he got a call at around 2:15pm, and was threatened for defending Lalit Modi. “I told him that I am doing my duty as a legal counsel. However, the caller went on saying that he has bumped off a lawyer in Bangalore.”
Abdi also informed the police that the caller threatened him to desist from attending Lalit Modi’s matters or else he will harm him and his family. In the complaint, Abdi also mentions that, “He also informed me that his men know my address and my family. He wanted me to note down a telephone number, which I could not do since I was driving. He told me that he will give me a number on which Lalit Modi should speak to him. He said he will call me again.”
Abdi has requested the police to provide him with police protection and he claims that he met Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria.
When contacted, the advocate confirmed the incident. “The caller introduced himself as Ravi Pujari. I have informed the Mumbai police, met Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria today and sought police protection. My role in Lalit Modi matters is only of a legal counsel,” said Abdi.
The Oshiwara police have recorded his statement and are investigating the case. The matter will also be forwarded to the Anti Extortion Cell. “Advocate Abdi had approached and we have taken his complaint. We are looking into the matter,” a police officer said.
