CBI quizzes alleged Chhota Shakeel aide in DHFL fund diversion case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday questioned Ajay Nawandar, allegedly an associate of fugitive criminal Dawood Ibrahim's trusted aide Chhota Shakeel, in connection with its probe into an estimated ₹34,615 crore loss caused by bankrupt erstwhile home financier DHFL to a consortium of banks led by the Union Bank of India.

According to sources, Nawandar was questioned on funds allegedly diverted by brothers Kapil and Neeraj Wadhawan, who were the promoters of the home loans provider.

This is the second instance of an alleged underworld link between the Dawood gang and the erstwhile promoters of DHFL. In the past, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had arrested them in connection with a money laundering case linked to the D-gang's henchman, the late Iqbal Memon, alias Iqbal Mirchi.


The brothers are currently in judicial custody and are being probed for multiple frauds by the CBI, ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.

Dawood and Shakeel are both wanted by Indian agencies in multiple cases, including for their alleged roles in the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts. Dawood is the alleged mastermind in the case. India has designated Dawood as a 'terrorist' under the recently amended Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.