POLICE INSPECTOR, 5 OTHERS HELD FOR KIDNAPPING AND DACOITY

MUMBAI: An inspector from Thane Rural police has been arrested with five other persons who were allegedly involved in kidnapping a Ghakopar-based businessman and extracting a ransom of ₹2 crore from him. The incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, prompted the victim to file a complaint with the Vashi police on Saturday, leading to the arrests.

The arrested police inspector, identified as Nitin Vijaykar, 55, had a long-standing career in law enforcement, joining the force in 1997 and rising through the ranks to become a police inspector in 2014. However, his involvement in the crime has jeopardised his pension and retirement benefits, as he faces serious charges.

According to Vashi police, Vijaykar was facing a financial crisis and needed money and that is when one of the wanted accused approached him and told him that they had information about Rajesh Katra, manager of a cold storage company, who was hoarding cash and that they could gain some money if they could threaten him with cases. Vijaykar who had two wives, had two kids from his first marriage and had adopted three kids of his second wife.

Five other accused, identified as Mohan Shivram Padle, Uday Sahebrao Kawle, Vilas Dattaram Mohite, Narayan alias Sagar Bhagwat Sawant, and Mohan Bhanudas Pawar were involved in the incident.

They accosted Katra while he was on his way to work, posing as Mumbai police officers. After demanding ₹15 crore initially, they settled for ₹2 crore, allowing Katra to proceed after payment. Padle, a resident of Koparkhairane, was identified from CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of the other accused. Mohite, a former driver of Katra, informed Padle about Katra’s cash possession, initiating the plan. The arrests were made on charges of dacoity and kidnapping, with investigations ongoing for similar offenses in the past, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I), Pankaj Dahane.