Mumbai ‘RTI activist’ and ex-corporator among 4 held in Rs 10-crore extortion case: police

According to the FIR, the builder began the process of redeveloping slums astatine the 2 locations astir 2 years ago. He was informed by his designer that a erstwhile Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator from Nalasopara, Swapnil Bandekar, and 3 of his associates had been filing RTI requests astir the project. The builder assured the designer that they had each the indispensable permissions.

In his constabulary complaint, the builder said that connected October 22, 2024, Bandekar, purported RTI activistic Himanshu Shah and 2 others met him astatine a java store successful Matunga, wherever the erstwhile corporator showed the RTI applications and complaints against the builder. Bandekar allegedly threatened that if the builder did not wage Rs 10 crore, helium would not beryllium capable to undertake immoderate project.

When the builder offered Rs 25 lakh, Bandekar became angry, verbally abused him and asked Himanshu if helium was carrying his firearm truthful that they could termination the builder. The builder said helium got frightened and agreed to wage Rs 1.5 crore successful instalments.

The accused past began calling the builder to request the money. Not wanting to comply, however, the builder reported the extortion effort to the police. They advised him to hold to conscionable the accused connected Saturday with Rs 25 lakh truthful that they could drawback the extortionists red-handed.

Accordingly, the constabulary arrested 1 of the accused, who accepted the wealth astatine the Mira Road restaurant, on with the different three.

Prakash Gaikwad, DCP (Zone I), said the 4 accused would beryllium produced earlier court.

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