Two Women Arrested in Mumbai for Extorting Rs 1.5 Crore from Real Estate Developer

Mumbai, Dec 24 (PTI) Police have arrested two women, including an artist, for extorting Rs 1.5 crore from a real estate developer in Mumbai by threatening to implicate his son in a false case, an official said on Wednesday.

Both women were arrested by a team of the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) on Tuesday at Lower Parel in central Mumbai, while they were accepting the first instalment of the extortion money, he said.

The women and the real estate developer had met during a party on November 14 where a dispute arose between them over some issue, according to the official. One of the women then threatened to implicate the realtor's son in a false case. After some days, the woman demanded Rs 10 crore to settle the matter, he stated.

After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 5.5 crore. In the meanwhile, the complainant (realtor) informed the AEC and the Mumbai police's Crime Branch about the extortion demand.

The accused women demanded the first instalment of Rs 1.5 crore from the developer and were apprehended while accepting it, said the official, adding that further probe was underway.

The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) in Mumbai is a specialized unit within the Mumbai Police that deals with cases of extortion and threats. They work closely with the Crime Branch to ensure the safety and security of individuals and prevent such crimes from occurring. In this particular case, the swift action by the AEC and the Crime Branch prevented the real estate developer from losing a substantial amount of money and potentially facing false legal charges against his son.

The real estate industry in Mumbai is highly competitive and often involves significant financial transactions. This case highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for developers to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately. The police have urged the public to remain cautious and to seek legal help if they encounter similar situations.

The investigation into the case is ongoing, and the police are working to gather more evidence to build a strong case against the accused women. The real estate developer has expressed gratitude to the police for their prompt action and is cooperating fully with the investigation.

The incident has also raised questions about the safety of individuals in high-stakes industries and the need for robust legal frameworks to protect them from extortion and other forms of financial crimes. The Mumbai Police have stated that they are committed to ensuring that such incidents are dealt with swiftly and effectively to maintain law and order in the city.

In the meantime, the families and associates of the arrested women are being questioned to gather more information about their motives and the extent of their involvement in the extortion plot. The police are also exploring the possibility of any other accomplices or individuals who may have been involved in the scheme.

The real estate developer, who wished to remain anonymous, has declined to comment further on the case, citing the ongoing investigation. However, he has expressed his relief and gratitude to the police for their swift action and for preventing a potentially devastating situation for his family and business.

The Mumbai Police have also issued a statement reminding the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or threats to the authorities immediately. They emphasized that the safety and security of the citizens are their top priority and that they will continue to work tirelessly to combat such crimes.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of legal awareness and the need for individuals and businesses to take proactive measures to protect themselves from financial crimes. The Mumbai Police have assured the public that they will remain vigilant and continue to take strong action against any individuals involved in such activities.

The investigation is expected to continue for several weeks as the police gather more evidence and build a comprehensive case against the accused women. The public is urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities to help prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.