HT Special: Kurar murder undertrial held for extortion

Uday Pathak, lodged in Arthur Road jail since 2011 as the main accused in the Kurar quadruple murders, was arrested on Thursday for running an extortion racket from

Uday Pathak, lodged in Arthur Road jail since 2011 as the main accused in the Kurar quadruple murders, was arrested on Thursday for running an extortion racket from inside prison. The Kurar police on Thursday arrested Pathak as the alleged mastermind of the extortion racket and firing at Malad (East) in November last year.

44-year-old Pathak, who has at least 12 cases against him in Dindoshi and Kurar police stations, was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy, officials said.

The firing took place at a site of Bhola Sai Developers in Malad (East) on November 27 last year. Tarkeshwar Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver, was sitting with his friends near the entrance of the building around 9pm. As the entrance gate was open, one man walked in with his face covered by a white handkerchief. Armed, he shot at Singh. Singh sustained bullet wounds to his stomach.

The assailant managed to flee but the police found envelopes with an extortion demand of Rs15 lakh. After scanning CCTV footage, the Kurar police identified the assailant as one Rashutosh Pande, 28. Pande was arrested on May 7 this year. On July 16, the police arrested Pathak’s younger brother Jeetendra, 32. The brothers were produced before the Borivli magistrate court on Friday.

Seeking police custody for Pathak and Jeetendra, the Kurar police told the court they need to find the weapon used in the crime. “Pathak and Jeetendra are brothers and have committed various crimes in the city. There is a need to establish if Pathak has planned any crimes from inside the prison,” the police submitted before the court.

Advocate Vikas Gaur argued, “At the time of the alleged planning, Pathak was in Arthur Road jail in another case whereas Jeetendra was at his native place.”

According to police, there are four cases registered against Jeetendra while Pathak has 12 cases. The duo has been remanded in police custody until July 25.