Mumbai: Former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Swapnil Bandekar and three associates, including a Right to Information (RTI) activist, were arrested on Saturday night by the Navghar police for allegedly extorting Rs.1.5 crore from a builder working on a slum redevelopment project in Worli. The arrests followed a sting operation conducted by the police, which resulted in the apprehension of the accused while they were allegedly receiving the first instalment of Rs.25 lakh.
The Extortion Scheme
Akash Pawan Gupta, a 34-year-old builder, had been managing the redevelopment of Darshan Society in Adarsh Nagar, Worli, under his company, Chintaharni Chintpurni LLP Realtors. The project, which had received approval on October 22, 2024, is focused on rehabilitating 240 slum dwellers, providing them with rental compensation for two years.
Bandekar, who reportedly had issues with the project, allegedly filed several complaints citing irregularities. He demanded a hefty Rs.10 crore to withdraw these complaints. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs.1.5 crore. Bandekar’s agent, Himanshu Shah, was tasked with collecting the first instalment of Rs.25 lakh.
On Saturday night, the Navghar police set up a trap at a restaurant in Bhayander and arrested Shah while he was accepting the money. Following this, Bandekar and his two associates, Kishore Kajrekar and Nikhil Bolar, were arrested from Vasai.
A case was registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges related to extortion, threats of grievous harm, and criminal intimidation.
Details of the Sting Operation
The extortion plot came to light after multiple meetings between Gupta and the accused. The first meeting took place on October 22, 2024, at a Starbucks outlet in Matunga, where Bandekar’s associates demanded Rs.10 crore. When Gupta refused, they allegedly threatened him with severe consequences. Eventually, the amount was negotiated down to Rs.1.5 crore, with an agreement to pay Rs.25 lakh upfront, followed by further instalments.
However, when Gupta was unable to meet the payment schedule, he was allegedly subjected to continued threats. Fearing for his safety, Gupta filed a complaint at Navghar police station, which led to the police operation and subsequent arrests.
Political Ties and Background
Bandekar, who served as a corporator in the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation from 2015 to 2020, remains aligned with the Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena after the party’s split. His political connections may have influenced the extortion plot, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Assistant Police Inspector Amol Talekar from the Navghar police station confirmed that all the accused were produced in court on Sunday. The arrests have raised questions about the role of local politicians in extortion activities and the lengths to which some individuals will go to exert influence.
This incident sheds light on the dark underworld of extortion affecting builders and contractors in Mumbai and beyond. The arrest of the former corporator and his associates signals a strong stance by law enforcement against political figures and their alleged involvement in criminal activities.
