Arrested cop took Rs1.4 lakh from vendor

The inspector attached to the Crime Branch (CB) Control, who was arrested on Sunday for extorting money from a shop owner, had allegedly told the man that the gutkha he was selling was fake.

The inspector attached to the Crime Branch (CB) Control, who was arrested on Sunday for extorting money from a shop owner, had allegedly told the man that the gutkha he was selling was fake.

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Shafique Shaikh, a wholesaler from Goregaon, said Bhaskar Dhere, 43, had allegedly threatened him with immediate arrest and said he would have to spend at least five years behind bars for the offence.

Senior inspector S Paithankar from the Goregaon police station said the police are also looking for three others, who were allegedly aiding Dhere in his extortion bids.

Inspector S Patil of Goregaon police station said Shaikh, a wholesaler from Goregaon alleged that Dhere had approached him on July 4. Shaikh said Dhere dressed in police uniform, came along with three others identified as Rafiq Shaikh Ali, Bablu and Salim.

Shaikh alleged that Dhere 'agreed' to settle the matter for a payment of Rs 1.40 lakh, Patil said. "Scared, Shaikh allegedly paid the amount to Dhere."

Shaikh then decided to get the gutkha packets verified and found that they were genuine, after which he approached the police and a complaint was registered.

Paithankar said Dhere had been on the run and was arrested from Goregaon on Sunday. On Saturday, Dhere allegedly approached a Malad gutkha vendor, threatened him in a similar manner and demanded Rs30,000. The vendor, who knew of the complaint filed by Shaikh, informed the latter, who in turn told the police. Dhere was nabbed by beat marshals in Goregaon. "After his arrest, we received a few more complaints that are yet to be verified," Patil said.