Chori Chori... producer wants car

A special court rejected, on February 22, a petition filed by Nasim Rizvi, producer of film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, for the return of his Honda City car, seized by police during investigations in the case involving nexus of Bollywood with underworld.

Rizvi's petition was rejected on technical grounds as he had not disclosed to whom the seized property could be returned, as he is lodged in jail custody.

However, designated judge AP Bhangale gave Rizvi's lawyers Sayaji Nangare and Harshad Ponda, the liberty to file a fresh petition.

Special public prosecutor Rohini Salian tendered no objection to the return of the car to the producer who is likely to move the court afresh in this regard.

Police claim to have recorded telephonic conversation between Rizvi and Karachi-based gangster Chota Shakeel which reveal alleged Bollywood-underworld nexus.

The cops allege that Chori Chori Chupke Chupke was funded by the underworld, while financier Bharat Shah has claimed that he had provided Rs 12.5 crore finance to the producer to make the film. Police have intercepted telephonic talks between Shah and Shakeel which indicate their alleged nexus.

Rizvi, his assistant, Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh and Shah have been booked under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). They are now lodged in judicial custody. The trio will be produced before the court on February 28.

Meanwhile, Shah's bail petition will come up for hearing before justice SS Parkar on February 23.

PTI