Twitter
Advertisement

Gang of extortionists threatening builders, businessmen held

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

A four-member gang of extortionists, which has been threatening builders and businessmen in north Mumbai, was arrested by the Anti-Extortion Cell of city crime branch a few days ago. The gang was pressurising a businessman to shell out protection money at the behest of a man, who is an accused in matka king Suresh Bhagat murder case.

The arrested have been identified as Bala Naikum alias Pale, 30, Mrinal Desai, 26, Nitesh Lavangare, 26, and Deepak Naidu, 27. The quartet has been booked on the charge of extortion.

According to the police, the complainant has a business of stone mining at Kaman in Bhiwandi. In 2012, he was attacked by an unknown person. "The victim came in contact with Lavangare, who later introduced him to one Manoj Naidu, who claimed to be close to Harish Mandvikar, an accused in Bhagat murder case," said a crime branch officer.

As soon as Naidu found out that the victim is a businessman and had been attacked, he started demanding protection money from him at the behest of Mandvikar, who is lodged in Kolhapur jail.

"Last year, Naidu had demanded Rs50 lakh from the victim. On October 10, when the victim had visited Borivli court for some work, Pale allegedly threatened him with a firearm. On the basis of the victim's complaint, we arrested the four. It has been learnt that the gang has been instrumental in threatening builders and businessmen in Borivli and Dahisar for protection money," the officer said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement