Described as ``the most interfering politician'' by the Mumbai police and senior officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Desai had been evading arrest since two years thanks to the patronage of senior ministers of the erstwhile Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government. Such was his clout that local police had refrained from arresting him in a case of harassment despite the court's directions to do so. There are at least six cases pending against the politician till date.

The former MLA finally fell into the police net on Tuesday for allegedly demanding Rs 5 lakh from a businessman and for assault. Though he has been remanded to custody till October 29, Desai has sought refuge in Nanavati Hospital after he complained of chest pain.

A senior policeofficer told Express Newsline that Desai had always been on the wrong side of the law. ``Desai's victims are so scared that they refuse to lodge even an anonymous complaint against him. He is known for his `third party intervention' in disputes between businessmen,'' he says.

In cases of financial disputes, an aggrieved party would approach Desai for recovery of dues or the converse, depending on the case. Such meetings were usually held in Sena shakha offices. Desai would then ensure that all future transactions were routed through him, after extracting a neat packet from both parties.

Since most of these deals were not on paper, his victims were forced to succumb to his threats. ``Desai referred to the deals as `settlements' in his capacity as a representative of the people!'' the officer says. Now that Desai has been arrested, the officer says, he hopes other victims come forward with complaints.

Another area of operation is real estate, especially the Slum Redevelopment Scheme, BMC officialssay. ``Since the municipality sanctions construction activity, Desai would lodge complaints against builders through local Sena corporators with the BMC. Desai would then pressurise the BMC to halt ongoing projects for obvious reasons,'' the official explains.

Earlier this year, Express Newsline had reported the case of Narendra Shah, a city businessman, who had complained that his ancestral plot at Vile Parle (W) was encroached upon allegedly by Desai. The plot in question is 1,450 sq mt -- over 15,600 sq ft -- and is worth over a few crore rupees. Since the police and the BMC had failed to address Shah's complaints following pressure from Desai, Shah moved the Bombay High Court, which directed the civic authorities to clear the encroachments on the land.

Express Newsline had also reported that the Juhu police had refused to arrest seven Shiv Sainiks, including Desai, in a harassment case for over a year and a half despite directions from the Andheri metropolitan magistrate to do so. Thecase against the seven accused, including Desai's brother Arun, local shakha pramukh Suresh Ghosalkar and four others -- was lodged under Sections 323, 506 (ii) and 114 of the Indian Penal code by Shantilal Sisodiya, a carpenter, on June 4, 1997. Sisodia later moved the high court in a desperate attempt to get Desai arrested. The issue was also raised in the state Legislative Council by Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal who was leader of the Opposition in the Upper House earlier this year.