Mumbai: Data says 27% rise in extortion cases in a year

A Chembur-based doctor filed a complaint with the police last week, claiming that gangster Ravi Pujari had called him to demand Rs five crore. The gangster also threatened the doctor with death if he failed to meet the demand. Statistics reveal that there has been a 27 per cent rise in extortion cases in the city as compared to last year.

According to the Mumbai Police, this year, during the period of January and September, 172 cases of extortion were registered in the city, out of which 143 cases were detected with a detection rate of 83 per cent. Last year during the same period, 135 cases of extortion were registered in the city, out of which 109 cases were detected with a detection rate of 81 per cent.

"While some cases of extortion are related to the underworld, some are extortion threats given by local goons. The rise in cases of extortion means that citizens are not under threat of goons and gangsters and have faith in the police. In the past we have cut the size of several underworld gangs and have sent them a strong message that they cannot escape by threatening citizens. Gangsters use internet calling to make extortion calls to the victims which makes it difficult for us to track their actual location," said a police officer, who has conducted operations against the underworld in the past.

In the recent past, police have been successful in getting known extortionists such as Chhota Rajan and Kumar Pillai behind bars.

"There is a chain that gets into the act once the gangster issues a threat to the victim. There has been constant efforts to gather intelligence on underworld gangs, their local contacts and arms suppliers and arrest them. Arrests of the underworld gang members under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act has also been proved as a deterrent for gangsters," the officer said.

Cases Registered and Cases Detected

In 2018: 172 and 143

In 2017: 135 and 109