Locals around a jewellery shop in Nalasopara panicked when a tiffin box with wires in it was found lying on the road on Friday. Beside the tiffin box was a letter addressed to the jeweller. The letter demanded money from him.
When Shantilal Joshi (30), the owner of Kangan Jewellers in the Patankar area of Nalasopara (West), came to open his shop in the morning, he found a gift-wrapped box outside. When he opened it, he saw the letter and the wires. The letter demanded Rs7 lakh and six tolas of gold from Joshi.
The police were informed immediately and residents in nearby apartments vacated their houses.
An officer from Nalasopara police station said: "On June 10, the jeweller had received a call from one Bhaijaan from Kurla's Kasai Galli demanding cash and gold. However, the jeweller did not take it seriously and ignored it."
In the letter Bhaijaan threatened Joshi that if the demands were not met his shop would be blown up.
"We have registered a case of extortion and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code and are investigating the case. Residents were shocked to find the box with wires but we controlled the situation. We have seized the box and the letter," said Ravindra Badgujar, senior inspector, Nalasopara police station.
