Ambernath builder gets Rs1 crore extortion call

A 30-year-old builder from Ambernath allegedly received a threat call from gangster Suresh Poojari. Poojari has allegedly demanded Rs1 crore from the builder, telling him that he would have to pay up because he was developing major projects.

The builder from Patel Infrastructure Pvt Ltd was in his office located at Sibu Palace in Ambernath when a caller, claiming to be Suresh Poojari, called him up and told him to consult with his father about his demand and take 'cautious action'.

"The complainant said that he was threatened by the caller. The caller, according to him, demanded one khokha (Rs1 crore) as extortion money since the builder was involved in numerous projects. The caller also asked him to speak to his father before taking any action. He was told that further decision on the matter would be taken later," said an officer from Shivaji Nagar police.

"The caller, in order to threaten the developer, might have been keeping a watch on his activities and he knew when the developer would come to the office," added the officer.

Suspecting an insider's role in providing information, investigation officer ST Gosavi said, "We have registered a case under section 384 (punishment for extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. We will trace the number from which the call came and verify if the it was made on purpose. Whether he was a gangster or someone who knew the developer will also be probed," said Gosavi.