Man arrested on extortion charges in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 20 (UNI) A man was arrested from the western suburbs today for allegedly demanding Rs 50 lakh from two builders and threatening them with dire consequences if they failed to meet the demand.

Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria told newspersons here that two months ago, police had received a complaint, wherein extortion money of Rs 50 lakh was demanded.

Acting on a tip-off that the suspect Azeembhai was likely to arrive near Gopalpuri tower, at Dahisar in western suburbs, police laid a trap at around 1400 hrs and arrested one Abu Talib Allauddin Khan alias Babu Potli alias Javed Chikna alias Azeembhai (32).

Police seized two mobile phones and four SIM cards, including an international one, which were being used for the purpose of threat calls, Mr Maria added.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused was a driver by profession and lately involved in demolition work of buildings under redevelopment projects. However, since he was facing financial constraints at home, he developed an idea of threatening and demanding money from the builders having their projects in the locality and adjoining areas.

The accused used to collect information from various persons associated with the redevelopment projects by visiting their sites on the pretext of getting some odd jobs and after collecting information he used to call the builders for extortion money, Mr Maria said.

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