MUMBAI, July 25; A city-based film producer and real estate agent has lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police that his former business partner is trying to extort money from him, in the name of Smita Jaidev Thackeray. The Thackerays, including the Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray, have however denied any knowledge of the incident.

Tarminder Singh Khurana, alias Mintoo, of J J Films, has submitted a written complaint to Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Ranjit Singh Sharma on July 21, stating that he was threatened over telephone by Smita Thackeray's personal assistant Sunil Ahire and her body guard Rane. He has alleged that the duo had threatened him on behalf of his former business partner, Jayant Rajak.

``Rane rang up my film production office at Linking Road, Bandra, on July 16 while I was away on shooting. Rane instructed my father that I have been summoned by Smita Thackeray and that I should settle the matter of Jayant Rajak at the Matoshri bungalow at Kalanagar, Bandra east,'' reads Tarminder Singh Khurana's complaint.

Khurana has also alleged that Rajak called his office and threatened his father that if he failed to come to Matoshri by 12 pm on July 22, he could be abducted and end up like Ramesh Kini.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.