Dey murder: Police say call from Yemen could be hoax

Mumbai, Jun 19 (PTI) Police on Sunday said that the
anonymous phone call from Yemen claiming that Indian
Mujahideen (IM) was behind the murder of crime reporter J Dey,
could be a hoax.
"The probe indicates it was a hoax call. But we want to
double check before coming to a conclusion that it was a hoax
call. We are in touch with the authorities of Yemen," a senior
police officer said.
On Saturday, an anonymous caller phoned at the police
control room from Yemen claiming that the IM had hired
shooters from Hyderabad, Bihar and Srinagar and paid Rs 4 lakh
to kill Dey.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Mahabole
was grilled by police yesterday in connection with the murder.
"Mahabole was questioned for several hours yesterday. His
statement was recorded and he was allowed to go. During the
interrogation, Mahabole claimed that he had cordial relations
with Dey and he had no role in the murder," a top crime branch
official said.
Crime Branch sources said that he was questioned for over
five hours, during which, the ACP appeared tense and kept on
repeating that he had nothing to do with the killing.
Mahabole had, in 2005, filed a criminal defamation case
against Dey after the latter's news report, in which, the
ACP's reputation was allegedly put in a bad light, police
said.
Speaking to PTI, Mahabole said, "I told the Crime Branch
what I had to. I don't want to disclose as to what questions I
was asked." However, police said that they may summon the ACP
again, if required.

Dey (56), Editor (Special Investigation) with Mid-Day,
who extensively covered underworld and crime for over two
decades, was shot dead by four motorbike-borne assailants in
suburban Powai on June 11.
The city police now have to file a status report on the
murder probe. The Bombay High Court had directed the
Maharashtra government and police on Thursday to file a status
report on June 21 on the murder probe.
ACP Mahabole, who came under the scanner following the
murder, was abruptly shunted to Local Arms Control Room in
suburban Naigaon from the in-charge post of Azad Maidan
division in south Mumbai on June 13, two days after the
incident.
A day later, the ACP had claimed that he was being
falsely implicated into the case and the allegations against
him were false.
"The allegations against me in the case (Dey's killing)
are absurd and wrong. I have nothing to do with the case. I
hope, the investigating officials would be able to detect the
case early and catch the culprits soon, to clear the air," he
had said after the transfer.