Mumbai couple teaches conmen a lesson

A young couple strolling on Shivaji Park beach helped nab a gang of three conmen who were impersonating police officers to extract money from them.

“Deepak Keskar, 45, Chandan Malwankar, 26, and Subhash Muley, 23, have been booked under sections 170 (impersonating a public servant) and 385 (putting a person in fear for extortion) on March 5,” said senior police inspector Suresh Unawane of Shivaji Park police station.

During interrogation it was found that Keskar is the gang leader and resides in Dadar (West). He is a commerce graduate from Mumbai University and is well-built. Malwankar and Muley are pursuing studies in city colleges, added Unawane.

The incident took place on Saturday at around 10.45pm. Mahesh Vichare, 27, along with his to-be wife Sushila  (names changed to protect identity) were returning from Shivaji Park beach when the three men accosted them on Veer Savarkar road.

One of them, Kaskar, told the couple that they were special police officers from Shivaji Park police station and demanded money from them. Kaskar threatened that if they did not have the money, then they should withdraw the cash from an ATM or one of them should go home to bring it. They were told that if they did not part with the cash, they would be taken to Shivaji Park police station. The couple suspected foul play and screamed for help.

On hearing their screams, passersby on Veer Savarkar Road and a beat marshal rushed to the spot and managed to nab the trio, said sub inspector MD Dabholkar.