Mumbai: Government staff, party leaders involved in extortion case

In a shocking development in the extortion case registered by Powai police on the complaint of a renowned developer, the police investigation reveals that officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Lands Record Department allegedly provided confidential details of the complainant to the developer.

Gulab Parkhe, 53, had allegedly complained to the BMC and Land Records Department regarding discrepancies in the Powai project of Hiranandani Developers. In November 2016, Parkhe had allegedly demanded Rs 20 crore as extortion money to withdraw the complaints.

"The complainant submitted Parkhe's recorded call conversations to us and it is evident that the purpose of filing the complaints with government bodies was to extort money. During the investigations, we learned that government officials, with whom Parkhe filed the complaints, shared the details of the complainant after which officials from the developer's company contacted Parkhe," said Anil Pophale, Senior Inspector, Powai police station.

Another senior police officer privy to investigations said, "The accused filed the complaints with the help of senior political leaders from his party. These leaders are under the scanner and if their role is confirmed in the case, they too can be made an accused in the case."