Crime Branch Arrests Five Chhota Rajan Gang Members for Extortion


Crime Branch Arrests Five Chhota Rajan Gang Members for Extortion
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In a significant breakthrough, the Crime Branch’s anti-extortion unit announced the arrest of five individuals connected with the notorious Chhota Rajan gang. They are accused of attempting to extort ₹10 crore from a developer in Bandra, escalating to threats when initial demands weren’t met. The complainant, a real estate agent from Bandra, had previously paid ₹5 lakh in an effort to halt the extortion attempts but turned to authorities when the demands persisted.

The suspects, identified as Ganesh Soradi (alias Deni or Dada, 64), Pradeep Yadav (40), Manish Bharadwaj (44), Remi Fernandez (58), and Shashi Kumar Yadav (46), were apprehended following a carefully planned operation. Police confirmed that they are also pursuing two additional suspects, believed to be close associates of the imprisoned gangster, Satish Kalia and Paulson, who have not yet been detained.

Background 

The complainant’s ordeal reportedly began last year when he acquired development rights for a Bandra West property from a woman who owned a 1,300-square-meter plot. In February 2023, the complainant, a 36-year-old real estate agent, partnered with a business associate and signed a power of attorney to finalize dealings with prospective buyers. The property’s sale price was set at ₹15 crore, with the condition that the buyer cover legal and documentation expenses. By June 2023, an agreement was reached with a developer, with the complainant’s commission set at two percent. In July, however, the complainant alleged that Soradi and Yadav approached him, questioning his involvement in the deal. Shortly after, Kalia and Paulson, both affiliated with the Chhota Rajan gang, appeared on-site, demanding ₹10 crore as “protection money” and threatening to harm the developer and the complainant if payment was not made.

Escalations

The complainant turned to senior officials at the Crime Branch as the threats escalated. Officials revealed that Kalia had made the initial threats while on parole last year, allegedly attempting to leverage his connection to the Chhota Rajan gang. Given the severity of the situation, a formal complaint of extortion and intimidation was registered at the Bandra police station, prompting the anti-extortion unit to organize a swift operation under the guidance of DCP Datta Nalawade.

Successful Operation

After extensive planning, the Crime Branch team successfully executed a sting operation on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of the five suspects. The accused appeared in court, where they were remanded to police custody for further investigation. Authorities have also stated they plan to request a court order for the custody of Satish Kalia, currently in prison, to gather more information about the gang’s involvement in the case.

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