The Mumbai Crime Branch has apprehended two women, one of whom is identified as a small-time actor, for an alleged attempt to extort a massive sum of money from the son of a prominent builder. The accused were caught red-handed while accepting the first instalment of the ransom.
The Incident and Initial Allegations
The chain of events reportedly began at a party in Andheri on November 14, the day the builder's son got engaged. A verbal altercation broke out between him and the two women, which later escalated into a physical scuffle. Following this incident, on November 23, the two women approached the Amboli police station and filed a formal complaint, leading to a molestation case being registered against the builder's son.
The Extortion Plot Unfolds
Subsequently, the plot took a criminal turn. Police officials stated that the women, operating through an associate, approached the builder's son with a settlement offer. Their initial demand was a staggering Rs 10.5 crore to withdraw the molestation case. After negotiations, this amount was reportedly brought down to Rs 5.5 crore. Instead of giving in to the demand, the victim's family approached the authorities, prompting a probe by the anti-extortion cell of the crime branch.
The Sting Operation and Arrest
The police devised a plan to trap the accused. They instructed the builder's son to play along and agree to make the payment. The trap was set for Tuesday, when the women arrived to collect the first instalment. As they were accepting a sum of Rs 1.5 crore from the complainant, the crime branch team moved in and arrested them on the spot. The two accused were later produced before a court, which has remanded them in police custody until December 27 for further investigation.
This case highlights the serious nature of using legal complaints as leverage for financial gain and showcases the Mumbai Police's proactive stance in tackling such organized extortion attempts.
