Nayak, Mumbai mafia’s most-feared name, is on the run after graft raids

Eight places—including one each in Goa and Mangalore—were being searched on today by ACB teams to find documents related to Nayak’s investments. The bureau also sent a letter today to the Police Commissioner A N Roy stating that the department had registered a case of corruption under section 13 (Assets disproportionate to the known sources of income) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The raids started last night. However, according to ACB sources, the evaluation of the wealth amassed in the sub-inspector’s 10-year career had started three months ago when Assistant Commissioner of Police Dilip Sawant, attached to the Economic Offences Wing, submitted a report. Sawant was asked to look into former journalist Ketan Tirodkar’s allegation that Nayak had links with organised crime syndicates.

Sources say the report estimated his wealth to be around Rs 4 crore. The ACB, however, has discovered only a part of it.

‘‘After our enquiries, we came to know that Nayak has excess assets of Rs 41,75,130 which he could not have earned from his known sources of income. We registered a disproportionate assets case against him. He will be formally arrested as soon as he presents himself before investigating officials,’’ said Sanjay Parande, Additional Superintendent of Police, ACB.

‘‘I am sure he will present himself for interrogation in two or three days,’’ said DGP Pasricha.

Sources say DGP Pasricha had initiated the investigation into Nayak’s assets three years ago. His assets first came under the scanner when he contributed Rs 1 crore to a school named after his mother in his Mangalore village. Just before being appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner, Pasricha had written on the file: ‘‘A serious matter and needs to be investigated thoroughly.’’

Nayak’s is one of the most written-about Mumbai success stories. He started his career cleaning tables in restaurant in Mumbai, attended night schools, graduated and worked as a plumber before joining the Mumbai Police in 1995.

He along with Pradeep Sharma made one of the prominent encounter teams in the city and has 83 killings under his belt. Nayak has inspired films like N Chandra’s Kagaar and Ram Gopal Verma’s Ab Tak Chhappan.

The fall from grace began in early 2004, when the MCOCA court ordered the police to probe the charges levelled by Tirodkar, who was once close to him.