Mumbai Autorickshaw Driver Arrested for Extorting Rs 3,500 From Teen Passenger

Mumbai, 25th December 2024: Mumbai police have arrested a 26-year-old autorickshaw driver, Ritesh Kadam, for allegedly extorting money from a 19-year-old passenger who had just returned from the United States. The incident occurred on December 14, when the passenger, hailing from Sangli, hired Kadam’s autorickshaw at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to travel to Chembur.

Upon reaching Chembur, the autorickshaw’s meter displayed a fare of Rs 106. However, Kadam reportedly demanded Rs 3,500. When the passenger refused to pay, Kadam allegedly called someone who issued threats over the phone. Intimidated, the teenager paid Rs 1,000 in cash and Rs 2,500 via Google Pay but managed to photograph the autorickshaw’s registration number before leaving.

The passenger later emailed the evidence to the Mumbai police, who registered a complaint and traced the driver using the registration number. Kadam was arrested on December 17 and admitted to overcharging, claiming he needed money and believed the passenger could be coerced into paying.

A police officer noted that overcharging at the Mumbai airport is not uncommon, especially targeting international travellers. However, in this case, the exorbitant demand and use of threats escalated the matter to extortion.