Maharashtra: RTI activist arrested for extorting builder over illegal construction
A man claiming to be an RTI activist was arrested today for allegedly extorting Rs. 5 lakh from a prominent builder in Thane district of Maharashtra and threatening him to pay another Rs. 45 lakh, police said. The accused was identified as Sudhir Bharge, the police said, adding that two of his associates have been booked in the case.
Bharge demanded Rs. 50L over non-disclosure of building's illegal construction
A complaint against the accused was lodged at Kasarwadavali police station by a security officer of the construction company, police said. As per the complaint, Bharge came to the company's site office in Thane and alleged that the builder had carried out unauthorized construction. He demanded Rs. 50 lakh from the builder to hush up the matter.
Company paid Rs. 5L to Bharge, but he demanded more
Thereafter, Bharge kept visiting the office. The company finally paid Rs. 5L to him. He, however, kept demanding the balance amount from the builder, after which the company filed a complaint against him and two of his associates. "The company said it paid Rs. 5L to Bharge and didn't report the matter earlier fearing that he'd file a false complaint against it," police said.
Bharge and his associates booked under relevant IPC Sections
Thane Police spokesperson Sukhada Narkar said Bharge and two others were booked under different IPC Sections, including 384 (extortion), 385 (putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Further investigation was on, she said.
