crime-branch-busts-the-gang-extorting-money-from-businessmen-posing-as-ed

Six individuals have been arrested by the Crime Branch on the pretext of extorting over Rs 100 crore from several businessmen and builders. An unidentified Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also been booked by the Crime Branch. Nearly 200 files and case papers have been examined by the ED.

Sources have claimed that the papers were used to allegedly settle matters with the ED in connection with an unknown individual who was worked with the ED. This has been suspected by the agency. However, the Crime Branch has not been able to find any evidence to confirm that the individuals in question have extorted large amount of money from those whose files and documents have been recovered.

The case began with a complaint filed by Omkar Realtors against five people, one of whom was an unknown ED person. Owing to this, Mumbai Crime Branch’s Unit 09 has arrested six people, including Romi Bhagat, a liaison with close contacts to officials and politicians.

The Crime Branch is trying to find the links between the accused and the unknown ED officer. As per the sources, a syndicate worked with anonymous ED personnel to extort numerous business owners.

Avinash Dubey, Rajendra Sirsat, Rakesh Kedia, Kalpesh Bhosale, Amay Savekar, and Romi Bhagat were arrested. Romi Bhagat, known for his connections, played a crucial role in the extortion case. Before their arrest, just Rs 25 lakh was paid. Bhagat’s counsel denied his involvement in the case and also claimed that the cops did not follow the due procedure while making the arrest.

The case was registered on the complaints from a top builder who alleged a financial dispute over a development project in the DN Nagar area. The builder’s rival filed a case against him with the EOW Mumbai, and soon after, the builder started receiving calls from unknown individuals warning him about the ED’s involvement. Fearing potential ED action, the builder agreed to meet these unknown callers along with a friend. During the meeting, the builder was threatened to pay Rs 164 crore to his rival builder.