MUMBAI, July 25: A hotel owner at Mahim had a narrow escape after he was shot at by criminals for refusing to pay hafta. Mohammad Bin Abdulla Ansari, who received serious injuries in his abdomen, was sitting in his Delhi Darbar Restaurant when Azim Kazi along with his associates barged into his restaurant posing as customers. He ordered Ansari to distribute food to the beggars sitting outside the hotel. When Ansari asked them to pay the bill for the food, Kazi took out his revolver and shot Ansari at point blank range. Anshari was immediately rushed to the Bhabha Hospital, where doctor removed the bullets from his stomach and declared him out of danger.

Ansari's brother Mohammad Ayub said, ``Few miscreants along with Kazi came to my restaurant in the morning posing as customers and ordered that food be distributed to beggars. After ordering one of them approached the counter to pay the bill, he put his hand in his pocket, but instead of drawing money he took out a revolver and fired at Ansari, targeting his stomach from very close range.''

But Friday's firing was obviously not a random instance, for Ayub informed that on March 23, Kazi had attacked him as well. ``Kazi approached me at night that day and started firing without any provocation but I escaped narrowly,'' said Ayub.

The Mahim police station has rounded up few suspects, but the main accused Kazi is still at large.

Ansari's partner Mohammad Anvar told Express Newsline that Kazi has been involved in several cases of murder and rape, but so far he has managed to evade the police.

The deputy police commissioner of zone IV, Ashok Dongre said, ``Kazi was under police custody for few months for his previous offences but on July 11 he was released on bail.'' He added that police have already arrested two accused and are looking for the others.

The Bandra Court had ordered on July 11 that Kazi shall not enter within the jurisdiction of Mahim police station till January 1, 1998.

Ansari's friend Abdul Rashid said, ``Inspite of the court order Kazi was openly wandering in the Mahim area and police could not do anything.''He complained that police have been unsuccessful in controlling Kazi's criminal activities in the Mahim area.

This shoot out has sent shock waves among the restaurant owners in Mahim.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.