The Enforcement Directorate registered an ECIR in a case involving unknown ED officers engaged in extortion, previously registered in the Crime Branch. Unit 9 of the Mumbai Police's Crime Branch has arrested seven accused for attempting to extort 116 crores from Omkar Developer. They threatened ED action under PMLA if the builder didn't settle two disputed matters by paying 116 crores. An unidentified ED officer is shown as absconding in the FIR, with ED initiating an investigation based on information from the Mumbai Crime Branch.
According to Crime branch senior officer they are also probing if the they were just using the name of the ED to extort money or in real they have links with the ED officer.
One Of The Accused Is Well Connected
The Crime Branch has arrested seven individuals, including Avinash Dubey, Rajendra Sirsat, Rakesh Kedia, Kalpesh Bhosale, Amay Savekar, and Hiren Bhagat alias Romi Bhagat. Crime Branch sources reveal that Romi Bhagat, a liaisoner well-connected with bureaucrats and politicians, played a significant role in the 116 crore extortion case, allegedly in collusion with an unidentified ED officer. This information comes from an FIR lodged by the Mumbai Police and transferred to Unit 9 of the Mumbai Crime Branch.
During investigation revealed that the accused threatened and extorted 25 lakhs from the victim builder before the remaining payment. The Crime Branch is currently investigating the links of the accused and the role of an unknown ED officer.
According to Mumbai Crime Branch sources, the accused operated a syndicate in connivance with unknown ED personnel, extorting money from several businessmen, currently being probed by the Crime Branch.
The Enforcement Directorate's ECIR currently in progress based on the FIR lodged by Tarachand Mulchand Verma of Omkar Realtor and Developers.
According to Verma the case issue start with dispute arose over the redevelopment of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar CHS in Bandra, Mumbai, between Dhanuka Builders owned by one accused Satish Dhanuka (not yet arrested ) and Omkar Realties. The society initially appointed Dhanuka for the redevelopment, but after his failure, terminated the contract and appointed Omkar Realtors. However, Dhanuka contested this decision, alleging losses caused because of Omkar's developer.
Threat Messages Received
The complainant was surprised when, on January 6th, received a WhatsApp call from an unknown person urging them to settle matters with Dhanuka, warning of ED action: "Satish Dhanuka ka matter Sulta de nahi to tere ko ED se uthawa lunga.”
On January 7th, a friend, Pankaj, informed the complainant that the ED was gearing up against Omkar Developers. Pankaj, who got the information from his acquaintance Sandeep, connected the complainant with Sandeep. accused Sandeep claimed to have links with ED officers and conveyed that the ED would soon take action against Omkar Developers. After instilling fear of ED action, Sandeep called the victim, urging them to settle the matter with the ED. He promised to arrange a meeting with ED officers and his liaison officer.
A meeting took place at Nariman Point Starbucks on January 10th, attended by Sandeep, the complainant's friend, and six others, including Dhanuka. The complainant was surprised to see Dhanuka there. According to sources, Sandeep introduced the complainant to Romi Bhagat, who allegedly represented an ED officer and was constantly on the phone, pretending to deal with the victim on the instructions of the ED officer. During the meeting, Dhanuka allegedly threatened the complainant on behalf of an unknown ED officer, issuing life threats to their family. Accused Romi, representing the ED officer, mentioned Babulal Verma's arrest by the ED and warned that if Dhanuka's matter wasn't settled, the complainant and Omkar's entire team would face arrests. They suggested settling both Dhanuka's and Khandelwal's matters with the ED.
When the complainant inquired about settling the matter, Dhanuka insisted that he pay the owed amount of 116 crore. He was given the ultimatum to pay or suffer the consequences.
