4 POSE AS COPS, EXTORT ₹48,000 FROM PREGNANT WOMAN; 2 HELD

MUMBAI: A woman journalist working for a local paper and a man were recently arrested for allegedly extorting money from a woman who was nine months pregnant by posing as officers from the social service branch and CP squad of Mumbai Police. Two others are wanted. The arrested accused have been identified as Nandkumar Choughule, 44, and Sujata Sandbhor, 32.

The 27-year-old woman lives in a flat with her husband and children. On August 25, the accused, posing as officials, raided her residence claiming that she runs a “sex racket.” They then demanded ₹3lakh to not book them. The woman gave them ₹48,000 out of fear.

The accused then called her repeatedly, demanding the rest of the money. After she refused to pay, the accused approached the Vile Parle station and filed a complaint against the woman for allegedly running a sex racket. Accompanied by Choughule and Sandbhor, the police went to the woman’s residence to investigate. After confronting the woman, she revealed to them that they had extorted money from her. She did not file a complaint as she was nine months pregnant, she told the police.

After verifying her claims, a first information (FIR) was registered under section 170 (personating a public servant) and 388 (extortion by threat of accusation of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life). Choughule and Sandbhor were arrested.