Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Three Pose as BMC Officials, Extort Businessman; Arrested
Police in Mumbai arrested three men accused of pretending to be city officials.
They allegedly stopped a businessman who was riding in an auto-rickshaw.
The men accused him of smoking inside the vehicle.
They allegedly demanded ₹19,500 as a fine.
The businessman asked to see their identification cards, but police say the men threatened him instead.
The suspects allegedly pointed to another man and called him their senior officer.
Police used camera footage and other investigative methods to find them in Powai.
Officers recovered ₹10,850 and two motorcycles, while checking whether the men targeted anyone else.
Kherwadi police arrested three Powai residents accused of posing as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials.
The suspects allegedly stopped Ghatkopar businessman Jubin Shah on May 25 and accused him of smoking inside an auto-rickshaw.
They allegedly demanded ₹19,500 as a penalty after claiming Shah had violated civic rules.
Police traced the suspects to Powai using CCTV footage and technical surveillance after registering an FIR on August 28.
Police recovered ₹10,850 and seized two motorcycles allegedly used in the incident; the investigation is continuing.
- Who
- Three Powai residents—Amit Kulaye, Sudheer Pujari and Vinod Sadar—were arrested; businessman Jubin Shah filed the complaint.
- What
- The three men allegedly impersonated Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials and extorted ₹19,500 from Shah.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on May 25 at about 10:45 a.m.; police registered an FIR on August 28 and arrested the suspects on Wednesday.
- Where
- The alleged incident took place near Hans Bhugra Junction on the Western Express Highway, near the Vakola bridge in Bandra East, Mumbai.
- Why
- Police allege the suspects demanded money by falsely claiming Shah had violated civic rules by smoking inside an auto-rickshaw.
- Accused
- Amit Kulaye, 34; Sudheer Pujari, 32; and Vinod Sadar, 36
- Complainant
- Jubin Shah, 37, a businessman from Ghatkopar East
- Alleged demand
- ₹19,500
- Money recovered
- ₹10,850
- Evidence seized
- Two motorcycles allegedly used during the incident
- Police action
- The accused were arrested and remanded to judicial custody for two days
- Investigation status
- Police are examining whether the suspects were involved in similar incidents