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Yes sir, yes sir, three cabs full: Suresh Bhagat had told the bar owner to take as much money as he wanted from the cash-filled taxis. file pic |
his drinks at a dance bar in Worli, Bhagat realised he had forgotten his wallet at home.
When confronted by the owner, Bhagat first handed over his Rolex watch as a surety. "You get these at any station footpath, I need hard cash," the owner told Bhagat. The matka king then asked for 30 minutes to get the money.
Angered, he stood his ground, called his cronies and ordered them to send the "cash".
Within a while, three taxis full of the greenback stood outside the dance bar. Bhagat is alleged to have taken the bar owner to the taxi and told him to take as much money he wanted, but never to question his worth again.
In gunny bags
"Money was stashed in gunny bags and loaded in every possible corner of the vehicles," Jt Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told MiD DAY.
A senior Mumbai police officer said they had confirmed this story and were now questioning Bhagat's wife Jaya, who has been accused of murdering her husband, about where the cash had been stashed. "Her answers on the taxi episode is likely to lead us to Bhagat's reported Rs 1,000 crore cash and property investments," said Maria.
The case is being investigated under the provisions of MCOCA after the woman mastermind was arrested last week.
Bar owner spoke up
Cops learnt of the episode when the bar owner narrated it to them after hearing about Bhagat's death in the accident near Alibaug on June 13.
Investigators said Bhagat never flaunted his money, but, on this occasion, was compelled to do so, as "His ego was punctured".
"I will show you who I am," Bhagat reportedly swore before leaving the bar.
When confronted with the money, the hotelier realised who he had challenged and returned the watch. He apologised and the bill was amicably settled.
400
Approximate number of matka bookies in the city
1,000
Approximate number of matka bookies across the Maharashtra
