Maharashtra: RTI activist held for taking extortion money of Rs 2 lakh from businessman in Bhiwandi

BHIWANDI: The Shanti Nagar police in Bhiwandi have arrested a 49-year old RTI activist for allegedly taking extortion money of Rs 2 lakh out of demanded Rs 5 lakh from a businessman.
The complainant who is involved in medicine business runs his business from his office situated at a building in which the third floor was illegal.
Police said last year a PIL was filed against third floor of building in Bombay high court saying it was illegal. Acting on the PIL the Bhiwandi -Nizampura City Municipal Corporation demolished the third floor.
However after demolition of the illegal portion, accused Irfan Khan who claims himself to be an RTI activist threatened the complainant asking him to give him Rs 5 lakh extortion money or else he will get the entire building demolished by complaining to the BNMC.
Police said that the complainant initially gave Khan Rs 30k but when the accused demanded for Rs 5 lakh from him, he approached Nitin Kausadikar, assistant commissioner of police, Bhiwandi region.
Acting on the complaint, Kausadikar formed a team which after three failed attempts on Thursday evening arrested Khan red-handed while taking Rs 3 lakh.
The police have found three other accused involved in the case who along with Khan were involved in the extortion business using RTI as a tool. The police are also checking the role of some civic staff attached with encroachment department of BNMC who is said to be supporting the accused in his extortion business.