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4 booked for trying to extort ₹50 lakh from Pune jeweller
A 43-year old jeweller lodged an FIR in Pune based on which Rupesh Chaudhary, Amit Mirchandani , Vikas Bhalla, and Santosh Rathod have been booked under IPC 385, 387,506 and 34 in extortion bid
The Vishrambaug Police, on Friday, booked four persons for attempting to extort ₹50 lakh from a prominent city jeweller in the name of the enforcement directorate (ED) and Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
Saurabh Gadgil 43-year old director from the jewellery firm lodged an FIR based on which Rupesh Chaudhary, Amit Mirchandani , Vikas Bhalla, and Santosh Rathod have been booked under IPC 385, 387,506 and 34.
According to the police, the incident took place in the office of Mirchandani on September 22 at 8 pm.
The FIR states that the accused created an impression that the jewellery firm had taken a loan from a private financial institution and there were irregularities wherein the ED and SFIO had objected to transactions.
The accused demanded ₹50 lakh to settle the case after which the complainant approached lodged an FIR.
Police inspector Shankar Sankhe, in-charge of Crime Branch unit 1, said, “One of the PNG group companies had taken a loan of ₹68 crore from DHFL. Around 8 pm on September 22, the accused told Saurabh Gadgil at Mirchandani’s office in Shaniwar peth that I-T department had objected to the loan deal while the ED and Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) had pointed out certain lapses. They told Gadgil that the I-T and ED had noticed the said loan.
“Bhalla told Gadgil that he knew an ED official from Delhi who is handling the case. He further informed that the said officer has come to Pune and offered to settle Gadgil’s case. Chaudhary threatened Gadgil with dire consequences. The accused demanded ₹50 lakh to settle the case,” police said citing Saurabh Gadgil’s complaint.
