Thane Crime Branch Cracks Down on Extortion Racket, Arrests Two Including TMC Bribery Accused
In a significant development, the Thane crime branch has apprehended two individuals for their alleged involvement in an extortion scheme targeting a local businessman. The arrested duo includes an accused previously linked to a high-profile Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) bribery case, highlighting a pattern of criminal activity.
Details of the Extortion Operation
Police have identified the accused as Sushant Sanjay Surve and Akshay Jayant Karanjavkar. According to investigators, Karanjavkar allegedly posed as an RTI activist and threatened businessman Viral Patel with the closure of his shops through civic authorities. Surve is said to have acted as the mediator in the deal, initially demanding Rs 5 lakh to "settle" the complaints.
Acting on a formal complaint, law enforcement officials laid a trap and successfully caught the duo while they were allegedly accepting Rs 2 lakh on March 13. This swift action underscores the police's commitment to tackling such crimes.
Surve's Criminal History and Bail Activities
Notably, Sushant Sanjay Surve was earlier arrested in a separate bribery case. In that investigation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) alleged that Surve acted as an intermediary in the bribery transaction. Officials have stated that the latest arrest indicates Surve allegedly resumed similar extortion activities while out on bail, raising concerns about recidivism.
Legal Proceedings and Custody
Both accused have been formally booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and were remanded to custody until March 16. This legal step ensures they remain detained as the investigation progresses, preventing any potential interference with the case.
The arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by Thane authorities to combat corruption and extortion in the region, aiming to protect local businesses from such predatory practices.
