The LT Marg police on Thursday arrested a trustee of Shivaji Park’s Shri Shivaji Mandir Theatre, Arvind Sawant, 67, and three associates.
The LT Marg police on Thursday arrested a trustee of Shivaji Park’s Shri Shivaji Mandir Theatre, Arvind Sawant, 67, and three associates.
The four allegedly entered the Bhuleshwar residence of a diamond and gold ornaments maker posing as vigilance police officers accusing the trader of having links with recently arrested terrorists and being involved in a hawala racket. They demanded Rs20 lakh from him for not taking any action.
The four men had come in a Skoda, which had a red light fitted on its hood.
Sawant reportedly told the police that the state government has given him permission to use a VIP dome light on his car and stick the state police logo on his car’s windscreen.
Investigations revealed that Sawant had claimed to be a bureau chief of ‘National News’.
“Besides Sawant, Vinayak Inamdar, 45, Anil Khebude, 51 and Dattatray Pandhare, 50, were also arrested for posing as public servants, wrongful confinement, extortion, house trespass and cheating by impersonation and 108 of Central Motor Vehicle Act. The police have also seized their car, four cell phones and a telephone diary from them,” said a sub inspector. He added that they were remanded in police custody till May 11 by the Esplanade court on Friday.
The incident took place on Thursday around 3pm. Three unidentified people entered the house of Vinod Leela on the fifth floor of Jai Hind society.
His son, Vishal, opened the door and they introduced themselves as officers of the ‘vigilance police’ and asked for Vinod Leela. One of them told Vishal that the Mumbai police arrested some terrorists a few days back and they gave the name and address of Vinod Leela to them. During interrogation, the terrorists revealed that Vinod was involved in a hawala racket, they said.
Later, a fourth man reached the spot. The trio asked their fourth associate to remain at the door and entered the house forcibly and started searching the bedroom, cupboards and drawers.
Scared, Vishal and his mother asked them to stop the search till Vinod comes. Ignoring their requests, they continued searching and told Vishal to call his father. Later, Sawant warned them to not call the police and asked them to arrange for Rs20 lakh. They said that if the Leelas failed to comply with this, they will arrest Vinod, which would further tarnish the family’s image.
In the mean time, Vishal called his father on the phone and told him what was happening. Suspecting foul play, Vinod informed the police. Officials rushed to the spot and nabbed the four.
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