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Mumbai: A gang of former clean-up marshals in Mumbai's bustling Dharavi slum allegedly orchestrated a year-long extortion racket, masquerading as BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) officials to shake down small industrial units.
Their modus operandi involved threatening shopkeepers with fabricated child labour cases, ultimately netting an estimated Rs 80,000 in a single day last October alone. The elaborate scheme, however, crumbled when savvy local businessmen demanded to see their official identification.
Dharavi police have identified three key members of the quartet, identified as Dipali Deepak Dalvi, 24, Megha Sonawane, 42, and Hanumanta Nagappa Kunchikurve, 36, along with an as-yet unidentified male accomplice. Their targets were invariably small industrial units, ranging from bag manufacturing to other tiny workshops.
The gang would target shops where children might be present, even if just playing or visiting. Spotting a child, the impostors would immediately launch into a menacing spiel, warning of severe BMC action and legal repercussions under child labour laws unless a hefty sum was paid on the spot.
One of their victims, Abid Bign Sheikh, 35, who runs a bag manufacturing unit, recounted his ordeal, which led to the recent First Information Report (FIR). On October 30, Dipali and Megha, posing as BMC representatives, entered his workshop. Upon seeing Sheikh's son and his brother's son playing inside, they allegedly demanded R25,000 instantly to prevent immediate legal action. Fearing the dire consequences, Sheikh reluctantly paid the sum.
So far, at least four complainants have stepped forward, each reporting payments ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 to the fake officials. Police anticipate more victims will emerge as the investigation deepens.
The unravelling of the racket began when Sheikh and other shopkeepers grew suspicious. The women had promised to return on November 6 to collect more "fines," prompting Sheikh to alert his neighbours. "We all agreed to ask for ID cards the next time they came," Sheikh was quoted S saying by Mid-Day. The group, perhaps sensing trouble, failed to appear on the promised date.
However, their luck ran out on December 1. When Dipali, Megha, and the unknown man returned, this time accompanied by Hanumanta (who was making his first appearance in Sheikh's unit), they again demanded money. This time, the united front of the shopkeepers stood firm, demanding to see their official BMC identification. The gang's evasive and vague responses immediately confirmed the businessmen's suspicions, leading to their arrest.
Dharavi police swiftly moved to arrest Hanumanta, who reportedly works as a bouncer, in the early hours of December 2. PSI Vikas Shelar, the investigating officer, confirmed that all three identified accused had a past connection to municipal work, having previously served as clean-up marshals.
