Cops suspect extortion call was about SRA
The developer had received a threat call from a person who identified himself as and aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel named Fahim Machmach.
Mumbai: The police is suspecting the alleged extortion call received by a Juhu-based property developer from underworld gangster Chhota Shakeel’s aide was made over a disputed Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project. The call was made twice from between July 27 and August 2.
Investigations revealed that the project is coming up in Oshiwara and the police said that there were disputes between the complainant and another developer, who would develop the plot. This development has raised clouds over the possibility of the call been made from overseas, according to the police. It added that the call might have been masked and originated locally.
The developer had received a threat call from a person who identified himself as and aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel named Fahim Machmach.
He threatened to kill the developer if he failed to pay Rs 10 crore as protection money. “We are looking into all the possible angles involved in the case. Nothing more can be shared at the moment,” said Paramjit Dahiya, deputy commissioner of police, zone IX.
Officials are questioning a few suspects and others associated with the developer, who was allegedly trying to bag the SRA project, officials added. Two threat calls were made to the property developer using voice over internet protocol (VOIP).
The country code of the number was +34 (0034), which belongs to Spain, officials said adding that its authenticity is also being verified. A case under section 385 (extortion) of Indian Penal Code has been registered against unknown persons.