Mumbai Driver's Unpaid Salary Sparks ₹1-Crore Fake IT Raid

A 37-year-old driver, Santosh Uday Khopatkar, who was dismissed by his employer without receiving six months of his salary, orchestrated a ₹1-crore extortion plot in Mumbai. Khopatkar joined hands with two serving Income Tax Department officials and seven others to target his former employer, Rajkumar Kandasami.

The accused posed as officials from the Income Tax Department and the Crime Branch, displaying forged identity cards before entering Kandasami's office. They allegedly prevented Kandasami, his wife, and 10 employees from leaving and seized their mobile phones. The suspects threatened the businessman with action by the Income Tax Department and demanded ₹1 crore in extortion to avoid the action.

The incident bears similarities to the plot of the 2013 Hindi film 'Special 26', in which a group of conmen impersonates government officials to conduct fake raids. Kandasami approached the police, following which a case was registered under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, impersonation of a public servant, trespass, kidnapping or wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, and extortion.

Investigators used technical surveillance to trace the accused and arrested Khopatkar along with eight others, including two serving Income Tax Department officials, Suresh Mahavirprasad Mishra and Sunil Manohar Gore. The investigation is underway as police probe the roles of all 10 accused and the extent of their involvement in the planned extortion attempt.

The exact amount owed to Khopatkar has not been disclosed, but police said he used his knowledge of Kandasami and his affairs to plan the extortion attempt. The group's plan was elaborate, and they used their knowledge of the Income Tax Department's procedures to make the fake raid appear legitimate.

The arrests of the two serving IT officials have raised questions about the involvement of government officials in extortion plots. The police are investigating the extent of their involvement and whether they had any prior knowledge of the plot.

The case is a reminder of the importance of verifying the identity of government officials and being cautious of extortion attempts. The police have advised citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to uncover the full extent of the plot and the involvement of all the accused. The case has sparked concern about the safety and security of businesses and individuals in Mumbai, and the police are taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In conclusion, the ₹1-crore fake IT raid in Mumbai is a serious incident that highlights the need for vigilance and caution. The police are working to bring the perpetrators to justice, and the case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the identity of government officials and being cautious of extortion attempts.