Bloody Finale
In life, Phoolan Devi combined the brutal underbelly of India with political fame and glamour. Gunned down in Delhi, her death could become the occasion for a new round of caste conflict in Uttar Pradesh. Phoolan
is being reinvented posthumously.
A report.

Rule Of Outlaw
Dons and politicians enjoy a symbiotic relationship in Uttar Pradesh.

Back To The Trenches
Determined not to let up on its Kashmir-centric agenda, Pakistan has stepped up violence in the Valley. Indian security forces gear up to deal with the situation.

Revenge Of Badla People who lent money to stockbrokers for financing speculators through the badla system find themselves at the receiving end of yet another scam. And with little evidence to nail the accused, chances of recovery are dim.

The Peacenik
S.B. Deuba's rapport with the Maoists helped him become prime minister. Now he has to deal with their radical demands about the monarchy and secularism.

CRIME: THE D COMPANY

PAKISTAN
WHY: Safe and secure and has many supporters
IS HE THERE? Most likely

NEPAL
WHY: Can use ISI base for support and coverup
WHY NOT: Nepal will not risk lending support for fear of upsetting India

UAE
WHY: Knows area well, shifted base only after 1993
WHY NOT: Presence of rival gangs; is no longer safe as US interest in Dawood has made Dubai wary

THAILAND
WHY: Uses Thai network for arms, narcotics racket
WHY NOT: Rajan shoot-out failure has spoilt image; Thai Police are more cautious now

SINGAPORE
WHY: Has trade interests, several bank accounts
WHY NOT: The country has a terrorist-free record

MALAYSIA
WHY: Hub for arms trade and other illegal ventures
WHY NOT: Presence of rival gangs; in any case, Malaysia will not want to upset India or the US

AUSTRALIA
WHY: Strong business network, mainly narcotics
WHY NOT: Presence of international drug gangs; Australia deals with terrorists very strongly

INTERVIEW: CHHOTA SHAKEEL
"We Have Not Gone Anywhere From Karachi"

Chhota Shakeel, an associate of Dawood Ibrahim, left Mumbai for Pakistan after the
serial bomb blasts in 1993 and based himself
in Karachi. Last week, Special Correspondent Sheela Raval got through to him on his cell phone.

Q. Where have you been?
A. Hum to kahin hatey hi nahin (We have not gone anywhere).

Q. But your president (Pervez Musharraf) said in India that Dawood and you were no longer there in Karachi.
A. (Laughs) Aap Sadarsaab ko galat sabit karna chahti hain (Are you trying to prove the president wrong)?

Q. We only want to know the truth.
A. The issue is between two countries. So let them settle it. Why should we argue about that?

Q. We have been given to understand that the D clan has been placed under house arrest there.
A. Why would the authorities do such a thing? There is no question of us being placed under house arrest.

Q. When you spoke to us in January, you had invited India Today to Karachi. Does the invitation still stand? Where can we meet?
A. Yes, of course. It still stands but I will be out on some work and will return home in a week's time. Then, I should be able to let you know where we can meet.

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Kolkata Restaurant: Ambi

Bangalore Rock Concert: Scorpions

Starved of resources and bogged down
by mismanagement, pilferage and irregularities, Punjab's civil aviation is in an utter mess. INDIA TODAY's Special Correspondent Ramesh Vinayak reports in
Airsick