BJP corporator Shatrughan Kakade booked for extortion

Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai police on the night of Sunday registered a case of extortion against BJP corporator Shatrughan Kakade for allegedly assaulting and demanding Rs 50,000 from the Kharghar-based Shahi Bawarchi hotel. Kakade, accompanied by nearly 10 persons, reached the hotel in sector 4 Friday night and picked a fight with the owner, thrashing the latter badly.Imtiyaz Ahmed Shaikh (41) had to be admitted to MGM Hospital in Kamothe on Sunday, and has been there ever since.

Shaikh and his partner took custody of the hotel located in Bhoomi Heights tower, sector 4, on May 1. The hotel started functioning from July 6 after an opening ceremony. After around 10 days, a person drove to the hotel in a silver XUV and enquired with Shaikh about its ownership. He said he could help in case of difficulties in the business as he was the local corporator. He demanded that money be paid to him every month if the business was to continue running there. He left, asking Shaikh to think it over.

In his statement to the police, Shaikh said, “The person returned again after four days and identified himself as Kakade. He asked what I had decided. When I refused to pay him, he abused me, saying that outsiders cannot do business without paying money and the business would not be allowed to thrive.”

Shaikh and his partner were attacked by Kakade and his eight men Friday night when they arrived at the spot in their car. Kakade started honking after which his men attacked Shaikh and his partner, injuring them both. The attack occurred at around 10pm.

According to Shaikh’s police statement, “While we were being assaulted, Kakade continued to shout, saying that if we did not pay them every month, we would not be allowed to function there. He hurled abuses at us and then thrashed our staff members too.”