Mumbai Police Submits Extensive Chargesheet in High-Profile Extortion Case Involving TV Actor
The Anti Extortion Cell of Mumbai's crime branch has taken a significant step in a complex criminal case by submitting a comprehensive 663-page chargesheet. This document targets Marathi television actor Hemlata Patkar and her associate Amreena Zaveri, also known as Alice Fernandes, for their alleged involvement in an extortion attempt amounting to Rs 1.5 crore from a prominent builder.
Details of the Alleged Extortion Plot
According to police allegations, the extortion scheme was meticulously planned. Hemlata Patkar reportedly contacted builder Arvind Goyal, presenting herself as a relative of Amreena Zaveri. She offered to "settle" a criminal case that had been registered against Goyal's son, Rhythm, at the Amboli police station. The settlement demand was a staggering Rs 1.5 crore, which the builder refused to pay.
In a strategic move, Arvind Goyal collaborated with law enforcement to set a trap. This operation led to the arrest of Hemlata Patkar and Amreena Zaveri while they were allegedly in the process of accepting the extortion money. The police have asserted that the two women, along with hotelier Utkarsh Vartak and Valentine Francisco Silveria, alias Veli, conspired to extort funds by threatening to manipulate court proceedings related to the case against Rhythm Goyal.
Background: The Assault Incident and Miscarriage Claim
The origins of this case trace back to a distressing incident on the intervening night of November 14–15, 2025. Rhythm Goyal, his fiancée, her brother, and a friend visited a hotel in Amboli. Inside a lift, an altercation allegedly occurred with Amreena Zaveri. During this confrontation, Rhythm Goyal is accused of kicking Amreena, who was pregnant at the time.
Amreena Zaveri claimed that this assault resulted in a miscarriage, a serious allegation that she formally reported in her complaint to the Amboli police. Following her FIR, Rhythm Goyal was arrested but later granted bail. However, Amreena filed an intervention petition before the Bombay High Court, which successfully led to the cancellation of his bail, intensifying the legal battle.
Current Status: Absconding Accused and Legal Notices
The chargesheet also identifies two other individuals as accused parties who are currently evading authorities. Hotelier Utkarsh Vartak and Valentine Francisco Silveria have been declared absconding accused in this case. In response, the police have escalated their efforts to locate these individuals by issuing a Lookout Circular (LOC) and Red Corner Notices (RCN) against them.
These international alerts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that all involved parties are brought to justice. The case highlights the intricate web of allegations, from physical assault and miscarriage claims to organized extortion, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement in navigating such multifaceted criminal activities.
As the legal process unfolds, this case continues to draw significant attention, reflecting the ongoing efforts of Mumbai police to combat extortion and uphold justice in high-stakes situations involving public figures and serious criminal allegations.
