12 Held for abduction 46-year-old Kolkata-based businessman; Tale of Abduction and Extortion Unravels

In a dramatic twist of events, a Kolkata-based businessman's trip to Mumbai for business dealings took a terrifying turn, as he alleges abduction and extortion by individuals he had intended to meet. The unfolding saga has drawn the attention of law enforcement agencies, with Mumbai police swiftly moving to investigate the allegations and file a case against the accused parties.

Abduction at Mumbai Airport

The ordeal began on January 16 at Mumbai Airport's Terminal 1, where the businessman claims he was forcibly abducted at gunpoint by a group of five individuals. Among them were identified figures such as Rahu Sawale, Kailas Punjabi, Kiran Tile, Sanket, and an unnamed driver. Under threats and coercion, the businessman was compelled to sign documents and hand over a substantial sum of Rs93.92 lakh.

Legal Action and Investigation

Subsequent days saw the businessman and his associates enduring further trauma as they were held captive and subjected to physical assault and intimidation. Allegedly orchestrated by Sawale's cohorts, including Girish, Sainath, Mukesh, Bhushan Tile, Santosh Panjabi, Rohit, and Raju Bhai, the incidents painted a chilling picture of extortion and violence. Upon the businessman's release, Mumbai police swung into action, recording his statement and initiating legal proceedings against the accused parties. The case, filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including wrongful restraint, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, robbery, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy, marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

Parallel Narrative

In a separate but interconnected narrative, the spotlight shifts to Hiren alias Romi Bhagat, a 50-year-old figure embroiled in another extortion case. Following his remand into police custody until February 21 by the chief metropolitan magistrate at the Esplanade court, Bhagat's alleged involvement in high-stakes extortion schemes comes under intense scrutiny. Accusations of collusion with political entities and law enforcement officials add layers of complexity to Bhagat's legal entanglement. Triggered by a complaint from a former managing director of Taj Hotels Group, the investigation intertwines with another case concerning money laundering, casting a shadow over Bhagat's purported nexus of influence and intrigue.