Pune: Two Local Businessmen Targeted in Camp and Swargate for Extortion, FIRs Registered
Pune, 30th April 2025: Incidents of extortion targeting local business owners by known criminals are on the rise in Pune, with two recent cases reported in the Camp and Swargate areas.
In the first case, a shopkeeper in the Centre Street area of Camp was threatened and forced to pay a monthly protection fee. Police have arrested Arbaaz Qureshi, a 28-year-old resident of Camp, after he allegedly demanded regular payments and extorted Rs 15,800 from the victim by threatening his life. The frightened shopkeeper filed a complaint with the Lashkar Police, who are currently investigating the case.
In a separate incident in Swargate, a young milk vendor was assaulted with an iron rod and threatened by a criminal demanding a monthly fee to allow him to continue his business. The accused, Mangesh Pokale, 40, of Dhayari, reportedly approached the vendor near Natraj Hotel on April 27, claiming to be a notorious goon and insisting on regular payments.
The vendor, who resides in the Guruwar Peth area, sustained injuries in the attack and later complained to the Swargate Police. A case has been registered against Pokale for assault and extortion, and the investigation is being led by Sub-Inspector Alate.
