Bombay High Court acquits underworld goon Satish Kalia in extortion case

The Bomay high court recently acquitted underworld goon Rohit Thangappan alias Satish Kalia in an alleged extortion case, in which sessions court had held him guilty in 2007. HC said state had failed to establish the extortion link.

As per prosecution, early in 2005, a Santacruz-based contractor received an extortion call on behalf of Kalia, demanding Rs 1 lakh. He then paid Rs 30,000.

In May 2005, he received another call demanding the rest of the amount. On May 18, 2005, a few men visited his house and threatened him. His wife then sold her gold and paid them Rs 30,000.

The contractor then filed a complain against Kalia and seven others. The court had slapped MCOCA on Kalia, but the prosecution could not prove the crime had been conducted by a joint syndicate, and hence the court dropped MCOCA charges. However, it sentenced the eight to three years imprisonment.

Advocate S Deshpande, who appeared for the accused, then moved Bombay HC. Deshpande told dna: "My client was acquitted as there was no evidence against him."