The recent case of alleged extortion targeting a developer in Mumbai’s western suburbs has sparked significant concern. The developer was reportedly threatened with severe repercussions, including murder, if a payment of Rs 32 crore was not made. Subsequently, the demand was negotiated down to Rs 11 crore. Following the grievances reported, five individuals have now been apprehended by the authorities, while two additional suspects remain at large.

The involvement of the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell in this investigation has amplified efforts to clarify the details of the case. Reports indicate that the accused allegedly intimidated the developer’s staff with threats of violence and legal obstacles if work proceeded on the project in question. The First Information Report (FIR) has identified eight suspects involved in this extortion attempt.

Among the individuals named are Rajvinder Singh, who is purportedly connected to the Chhota Rajan gang, along with NGO owner Clementinus Faro and another suspect identified as Tony. The ongoing investigation aims to track down these outstanding suspects.

Background of the Property in Dispute

The controversy surrounds a redevelopment project involving a property on Pereira Road in Bandra West, previously owned by the Archdiocese of Bombay for around 50 years. The property was declared hazardous and was officially categorised as a C-1 dangerous building by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2024. Following the declaration, the BMC disconnected essential services to facilitate a safe demolition process.

Contracted to handle the redevelopment, Diljay Properties had been granted the property after successfully securing the necessary approvals from the Charity Commissioner. However, the affliction of illegal residents, including Ethel Steven and Daniel Steven, complicated the situation, leading to subsequent legal action aimed at removing their belongings and ultimately demolishing the structure.

After the demolition, the Stevens reportedly began returning to the site with individuals described as having criminal connections, allegedly to intimidate the developer’s security personnel. Multiple complaints were subsequently registered at Bandra Police Station due to these incidents, with two FIRs logged under the relevant case numbers.

Details of the Extortion Demand

The alleged extortion demand made by the accused reportedly involved threats concerning their ties to known criminal figures, cautioning that failing to comply would result in fatal consequences for the developer’s representatives. The developer was warned that the perpetrators had support from various criminal elements in the region.

As the threats escalated, the developer sought assistance from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, presenting documentation and recordings related to the attempted extortion. The Anti-Extortion Cell took over the inquiry, viewing the matter as sensitive and urgent.

On September 1, while attempting to collect the initial payment of Rs 25 lakh, the accused were apprehended by the police during a setup involving fake currency mixed with real notes. Arrested during this operation were Ethel Steven, Daniel Steven, Naseer Sheikh, Abdulla Khan, and Remy Fernandes, and these individuals were subsequently remanded into custody.

Ongoing Investigation and Wider Implications

The Crime Branch has initiated a broader manhunt for Clementinus Faro and Tony, also implicated in the FIR. Faro is said to have demanded Rs 1 crore specifically for his NGO, leveraging intimidation tactics to disrupt the redevelopment efforts.

Further, the investigation is delving into the suspected connections of the accused to other criminal groups and prior alleged extortion incidents. Information gathered so far has suggested a network of individuals who may have been similarly threatened or extorted.

The probe is still underway, as authorities seek to uncover the full scope of gang affiliations and assess all previous complaints against the accused. Investigators aim to ascertain links to individuals across various neighbourhoods, thereby tackling the broader issue of crime and intimidation in the area.

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