DRI Deputy Director and Family Receive Threats from Alleged D-Company Member

PUNE: A deputy director of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) posted at the Pune Regional Unit has filed a police complaint, alleging that a person claiming association with Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company threatened him and his family. The incident occurred after customs officials at the Mumbai international airport seized laptops and mobile phones from an associate who arrived from Dubai.

According to the police, the complainant, who has been serving as deputy director at the DRI Pune Regional Unit since 2024, received a phone call from Mushtaq Sheikh on June 3. Sheikh, a 69-year-old resident of Wadi Bandar in Mumbai, claimed to know one of the complainant’s informants and expressed interest in working as an informer for the DRI. He also requested a meeting, but the officer asked him to call back later.

On June 5 at 10 pm, Sheikh called again and informed the officer that customs officials at the Mumbai international airport had seized some laptops and mobile phones his associate brought from Dubai. He allegedly asked the officer to speak with the customs authorities and facilitate the items’ release. The officer refused the request, leading to a series of threatening messages.

Following the refusal, at 3:40 am on June 6, Sheikh allegedly sent 13 WhatsApp voice notes threatening the officer. He claimed that the airport action was taken because information had been passed to the Mumbai Air Intelligence Unit. Sheikh allegedly stated that he had been involved in smuggling activities for 30 years and that no one had stopped him before. He claimed strong connections with criminal gangs and warned that he would teach the officer and his family a lesson, preventing them from moving freely outside Pune. He also threatened to file complaints against the officer with the Prime Minister’s Office.

Confirming the registration of a case, Govind Jadhav, senior police inspector at Vimantal police station, said, “As per the complaint filed on Thursday, we have registered a non-cognizable offence and the case is being investigated by the Anti-Extortion Squad of the Pune city police.”

Senior police inspector Ram Rajmane from Anti-Extortion Squad-2 added, “We have approached the court and received permission to investigate the case. We have issued a notice to the accused to appear before us for further investigation.”

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is a premier national law enforcement agency responsible for preventing and curbing smuggling and illegal trade across India’s borders. The agency plays a crucial role in maintaining economic security and ensuring compliance with trade regulations. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement officials in dealing with organized crime and the threats they often receive while performing their duties.