Mumbai, Mar 06: Nasim Rizvi, film producer and prime accused in a case of alleged Bollywood nexus with underworld, today urged for bail in a special court in view of a High Court order striking down certain provisions for intercepting telephonic talks under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act under which he had been booked. Hearing a petition filed by co-accused Bharat Shah, the Mumbai High Court had yesterday observed that provisions for intercepting oral or electronic communication under MCOCA were beyond the competence of state legislature.
Rizvi's lawyer Sayaji Nangre prayed that prosecution was relying upon intercepted telephonic talks between Rizvi and Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel to prove its case of alleged Bollywood nexus with the underworld. As High Court has struck down provisions of interception of telephonic talks under MCOCA, such evidence could not be relied upon, he said.
He also prayed for bail on the health grounds saying that Rizvi had undergone surgery for cervical spondylitis and was still recuperating.
Rizvi prayed that he was falsely implicated in the case and denied that he had committed the alleged offences.
The prosecution sought one week's time to file a reply.
Rizvi is charged with conspiring with Shakeel to kill film personalities and policemen besides extorting money from producers Mansoor Siddiqui, Ali Morani and Mohammed Morani. Prosecution has alleged that Siddiqui and Morani brothers paid Rs 25 lakhs and Rs 75 lakhs respectively to Shakeel.
Rizvi's bail plea has been rejected earlier by special court and Mumbai High Court.
Bureau Report