In a shocking incident from Mumbai, two money lenders abducted a 63-year-old woman from Juhu. They took this drastic step because her son could not repay a debt of Rs 80 lakh. The woman gained her freedom only after she signed documents acknowledging the debts under duress.
Police Action and Arrests
Although the abduction occurred last month, police moved into action recently. On Monday, they arrested one of the accused. Officers are now actively searching for his accomplice who remains on the run.
Details of the Complaint
According to the police, the complainant Pinakini Bhansali provided a detailed account. Her son Monil had borrowed large sums from various individuals. One of them was Zafar Qureshi, who charged an exorbitant interest rate of 30 percent.
Monil had also pledged jewellery valued at approximately Rs 3 crore as security. Despite repaying about Rs 80 lakh, Qureshi continued to issue threats. The harassment did not stop, escalating the situation further.
The Abduction Incident
Last month, the situation took a dangerous turn. Qureshi and his two associates forcibly made the woman sit inside a car in Santacruz West. They took her to a secluded location where they threatened her.
Under coercion, she was made to sign stamp papers. She also gave her thumb impression, acknowledging a liability of Rs 80 lakh. Qureshi explicitly threatened that her son's life would be in danger if the demanded amount remained unpaid.
The accused went a step further by shooting a video of her signing the documents. They warned her of dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Only after this did they allow her to go.
Continued Threats and FIR
After her release, the threats continued. Qureshi started making threatening calls to her regularly. Fearful for her safety, she confided in her husband. He advised her to lodge a formal First Information Report with the police, which she did promptly.
Crime Branch Investigation
The city crime branch unit 10 took up the investigation seriously. They arrested Qureshi's associate, Alfaz Firoz Kasam, on multiple charges. These included abduction, illegal money lending, extortion, and criminal intimidation.
During their search operations, police examined properties linked to Qureshi and Kasam. They seized several original loan agreements and vehicle sale contracts. These documents revealed large cash transactions between Qureshi and multiple individuals.
Investigators also confiscated a mobile handset. This device contained video evidence of the coercion incident, providing crucial proof for the case.
Illegal Money Lending Racket
The Crime Branch has made serious allegations against Qureshi. They claim he has been running an illegal money lending business without any proper licence. His modus operandi involved lending money at exorbitant interest rates.
To recover dues, he employed threats and coercion regularly. He operated with the help of his associates, creating a network of fear. Police suspect Qureshi has targeted several other individuals in a similar fashion across Mumbai.
This case highlights the dangers of unregulated lending practices. It shows how vulnerable individuals can become victims of organized crime when dealing with illegal money lenders. The Mumbai police continue their investigation to bring all involved to justice.
