Mumbai Crime Branch has added the organised crime provision under Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in an alleged Rs 11 crore extortion case involving a prime Bandra property, and is examining whether to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.
The Anti-Extortion Cell took the step after investigators found that two accused persons, Rajwinder Singh, proprietor of Rajlakhsmi companies, and Remi Fernandes were habitual offenders and allegedly linked to the Chhota Rajan gang, according to police officials quoted by the Times of India. Singh and Fernandes have been shown as absconding accused in the case.
The case concerns allegations that five people, including a brother and sister, attempted to extort money from a developer over property on Perera Road in Bandra. The police arrested four accused persons, including Nilesh, Abdullah, Nazir and Remy, after allegedly catching them red-handed. The report identifies Singh and Fernandes as accused who are not in custody.
According to the complaint filed by Gagan Sharma, head of business development at Diljay Property Developers Pvt Ltd, the company acquired the church property through an auction and obtained a no-objection certificate from the Charity Commissioner. The Stevens, however, claimed rights over the property and approached the court. Civil litigation between the parties remains pending.
The alleged extortion attempt was linked to demands for allowing redevelopment work to proceed. Daniel, Ethel and their cousin Tony initially allegedly approached Sharma and demanded money. In August, the arrested accused allegedly contacted Sharma through an acquaintance and claimed that the three were willing to relinquish their claim over the property for Rs 22 crore. The alleged demand was later reduced to Rs 11 crore during negotiations, the report said.
The prosecution has also alleged that Singh provided Rs 10 lakh and subsequently sent armed men to the site to threaten the developer. A sessions court rejected Singh’s anticipatory bail application last week. Police said the investigation found six offences registered against Singh and Fernandes, among other cases involving the accused.
An investigating official said the police were legally examining the use of MCOCA after learning about the alleged criminal histories and gang links. The addition of BNS Section 111 and the possible use of MCOCA represent an escalation in the legal handling of the case, while the underlying ownership and redevelopment dispute continues before the courts.
