Arrest of those who demanded extortion from builders by posing as forest officers in Thane

Mumbai: Police have arrested a youth in Thane who allegedly threatened builders by posing as a forest department officer and demanded dowry.

The Special Task Force and Anti-Extortion Wing of Thane Police Crime Branch caught the accused Prasadkumar Bhalerao and conducted further investigation.

This action was taken on the basis of the complaint of builder Nafees Ahmed Siddiqui living in Shil Daighar complex of Thane.

Accused Prasadkumar was calling himself a forest officer. They complained to the Forest Department office about the construction of the complainant and another builder and were misusing the Right to Information. They complained to the builders about the construction and demanded ransom.

Accused Prasad Kumar demanded a ransom of Rs 7.60 lakh from the complainant and another builder as a one-time settlement for withdrawal of complaints and RTI applications.

But after the builder's complaint, the police team laid a trap. Accused Prasad Kumar was caught red-handed while taking ransom of Rs 5.60 lakh in Khan Compound, Shilgaon.

In this regard, a case has been registered under sections 384, 385, 387, 170 at Sheel-Dighar police station on April 25.