Mumbai: 2 constables held for ‘extorting’ Rs 2 lakh from cigarette wholesaler

MUMBAI: Two constables who allegedly threatened a cigarette trader at Musafirkhana in south Mumbai and extorted Rs 2 lakh from him besides cigarette packets worth around Rs 40,000, were arrested by V P Road police on Tuesday.

The arrested constables have been identified as Sajid Mulla (36) attached to Worli police camp and Nilesh Palkar with Malabar Hill traffic division. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 420 and 170 for cheating and impersonating a public servant, respectively. Sources, though, said that they have not been booked for extortion, which is more stringent section.

Complainant Pradeep Barik is a wholesaler of Indian and imported cigarettes who supplies to dealers in Null Bazaar, Tardeo, Pydhonie, Breach Candy, Walkeshwar and a few other areas.

Police said the incident took place on October 24 when Barik had unloaded cartons of cigarettes at Kumbharwada at Girgaum. “No sooner did I unload the goods, the constables knocked at my door saying they were police inspectors. They said they were from the office of the deputy commissioner and wanted to carry out a search and would beat me up,” Barik told TOI.

The constables threatened to book Barik under the newly amended Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) on seeing the large number of cartons. “A frightened Barik asked how much bribe could he have to pay to evade a case and then gave them Rs 2 lakh on the spot,” said a V P Road police officer. “I am a small trader and earn my livelihood by supplying cigarettes and my business is legal. But these constables threatened me so I gave them whatever money I had in my safe,” added Barik.

While leaving, the constables took along several cigarette packets. The next day, Barik gathered courage and lodged a police complaint.

Police began a probe and stumbled upon the CCTV footage of the building. Barik immediately identified the constables in the footage. Police first picked up Mulla who, during questioning, reportedly admitted to having visited Barik with his traffic constable friend. Both were produced before the local magistrate court, which remanded them to police custody.