Bandra extortion: 3 held for posing as BMC officials, extorting a businessman

The Kherwadi police have arrested three men for allegedly posing as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials and extorting Rs 19,500 from a 37-year-old businessman after falsely claiming he had committed an offence by smoking inside an autorickshaw. The incident took place on August 25 between 10.45 am and 10.50 am at Hans Bhugra Junction, beneath the Western Express Highway’s Vakola Bridge in Bandra East.

[popcorn number="August 25" desc="Day the incident took place in Bandra East" class="Default"]

Demanded proof

When Shah asked them to show their BMC identity cards, the accused allegedly told him, “Tum bahut shaana banta hai, hamare sahab ko milo,” and pointed towards another man on a motorcycle nearby. The accused allegedly took Rs 19,500 from Shah and instructed him to come to a nearby police station before fleeing on their motorcycles. Shah subsequently approached the Kherwadi police, who registered a case under Sections 319(2), 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on August 25.

Cop Speak

A police officer
‘Complainant Zubin Mukesh Shah was travelling home in an autorickshaw from Andheri when two men riding motorcycles stopped the vehicle at the junction. The accused allegedly introduced themselves as BMC employees and told Shah that he would have to pay a fine for smoking inside the autorickshaw.’

The three arrested men

>> Amit Sambhaji Kulye, 34, a delivery boy
>> Sudhir Dayanand Pujari, 32, a driver
>> Vinod Ganesh Sadar, 36, also a driver 

CCTV trail

Police Sub-Inspector Abhishek Patil and the crime detection team examined CCTV footage from the spot and surrounding areas. The accused were identified and traced to Powai.

Cash recovered

Police recovered Rs 10,850 in cash and two motorcycles allegedly used in the offence. The accused have previous cases registered against them at the Powai and Juhu police stations.

Investigating team from Kherwadi police

>> PSI Abhishek Patil
>> Constables Thombare, Thackeray, Jadhav and Kambale
>> Powai police
>> API Pramod Mane 
>> Constables Zende and Rathod