CBI arrests absconding accused in builder extortion case at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai, 19th April 2023: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an absconding accused while landing at Mumbai Airport from Singapore in a case related to extortion from Builder.
CBI had registered the instant case on 07.04.2016 on the request of Maharashtra Government. This case was initially registered in Police Station Tilak Nagar, Mumbai (Maharashtra) vide FIR No. 207/2005 dated 13.12.2005 on the allegations that the accused persons belonging to organized crime had extorted Rs. 20 lakh from the Complainant and further attempted to extort another Rs. 20 lakh from the Complainant and others under the threats of murder.
The Complainant had further alleged that the accused and their associates were extorting large sums of money from the Developers, who undertook the redevelopment work of old building in Tilak Nagar, Naidu Colony, Ghatkopar and other areas of Mumbai. The case was transferred to DCB, CID of Mumbai Police. The DCB, CID, Mumbai filed a charge sheet and two supplementary charge sheets against 11 accused.
The accused Santosh Mahadev Sawant @ Abu Sawant was absconding since 2005. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him through INTERPOL in 2012. Subsequently, a request for extradition of the said absconding accused was also sent to Singapore through Ministry of External Affairs.
During further investigation, CBI had filed supplementary charge sheet against three accused before the Designated Court at Mumbai.
An application was filed before the Competent Court on behalf of said absconding accused for his surrender before the Trial Court. The absconding accused while landing at Mumbai Airport from Singapore was secured by Bureau of Immigration Department, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and subsequently he was handed over to CBI by the Immigration Department officials.
The arrested accused was produced before the Trial Court, Mumbai and was remanded to Judicial Custody till 02.05.2023.
