Posing as bureaucrats, 5 demand ransom, held

Five men who allegedly demanded Rs25 lakh as ransom from a Chembur-based businessman by posing as bureaucrats were arrested by the anti-extortion cell of the Thane police on Sunday.

Five men who allegedly demanded Rs25 lakh as ransom from a Chembur-based businessman by posing as bureaucrats were arrested by the anti-extortion cell of the Thane police on Sunday.

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While Bharvi Bhoir, 42, claimed to be the vice-chairman of the union ministry of labour and employment and chairman of the international human rights association (crime cell), Maharashtra, and travelled in a car with red beacon, Surya Chelluboina, 34, would pose as Bhoir’s secretary and an Indian Administrative Service officer. The accused made ransom calls to Milind Kamath, a distributor of Raymond’s clothing who had a godown at Bhiwandi.

“Claiming that there are some labour-related issues and irregularities, they would threaten him to pay up. They asked him to bring Rs25 lakh at a hotel on Ghodbunder Road. Three persons were caught red-handed on Saturday,” said Milind Bharamabe, additional commissioner of police (crime).

Kolshet resident Surya, Bhiwandi resident Vishwas Patil, 33, and Savarkarnagar resident Gajraj Singh, 37, were arrested from the hotel. While Bhiwandi resident Bhoir and Prashant Mhatre, 27, were held on Sunday.