Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests 2 For ₹41 Lakh Extortion

The Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell has arrested two men, Siddhesh Jana Tari and Pritesh Salgaonkar, for allegedly extorting ₹41 lakh and demanding another ₹6 crore from The House of Abhinandan Lodha Limited, a company developing the One Goa project in Goa.

The accused were arrested from Dodamarg and have been remanded in police custody until September 3. According to the police, Tari and Salgaonkar allegedly threatened to disrupt and stop construction unless the company paid them.

The company's office is located in Lower Parel, and its official, Shreyas Ramesh Patil, lodged a complaint at the NM Joshi Marg police station on August 27. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Police's Anti-Extortion Cell.

The complaint alleged that Tari and Salgaonkar had been creating hurdles in the project since August 2025, threatening to stop construction and stage protests while demanding money from company officials. The accused allegedly demanded ₹6 crore, with each seeking ₹3 crore.

The company allegedly paid ₹34 lakh to Tari and ₹7 lakh to Salgaonkar, totaling ₹41 lakh. However, the accused continued demanding money after receiving the initial payment. On August 12, Salgaonkar allegedly contacted a company official through WhatsApp and demanded more money.

During the investigation, the Anti-Extortion Cell learned that both accused were in Dodamarg. A police team conducted an operation and arrested them. They were produced before a court on Sunday and remanded in police custody until September 3 for further investigation into the alleged extortion case.

The One Goa project is a significant development in the state of Goa, and the alleged extortion attempt by Tari and Salgaonkar has raised concerns about the safety and security of businesses operating in the region. The Mumbai Crime Branch's swift action in arresting the accused has been welcomed by the business community.

The case highlights the importance of the Anti-Extortion Cell in combating extortion and ensuring that businesses can operate without fear of intimidation or harassment. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter and are working to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The arrest of Tari and Salgaonkar is a significant development in the case, and it is expected that further details will emerge as the investigation continues. The Mumbai Crime Branch's actions in this case demonstrate their commitment to combating extortion and protecting the interests of businesses in the city.