Thane: Two journalists, 'RTI activist' held for extortion bid

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The Thane police in Maharashtra have arrested two journalists and an "RTI activist" for allegedly trying to extort money from a government official by defaming him and orchestrating a fake protest, an official said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI.

The police have identified the trio as Santosh Bhikan Hirey (44) of the weekly 'Navasfurti', published from Ambernath in Thane district, Samsad Sajjadkhan Pathan (48), editor of the weekly 'Lok Rajkaran' in Nashik, and Subash Nathu Patil (40), a Nashik resident who acquired information under RTI, reported PTI.

The three were arrested on the complaint of a sub-registrar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shivraj Patil told reporters, reported PTI.

The accused told the government official that they would print reports in their publications that corrupt practices were going on in his office and would demand his dismissal if he didn't pay up Rs 2 lakh, reported PTI.

When the sub-registrar ignored the demand, they printed defamatory reports and staged a fast, said the DCP, reported PTI.

The official then filed a complaint with the anti-extortion cell (AEC) of the Thane police who laid a trap and arrested Hirey and Pathan on Thursday while collectively accepting Rs 1.5 lakh from the victim, the official said, reported PTI.

Senior inspector Shekar Bagde of the AEC said the three have been remanded in police custody till November 7. They have also extracted money from many government officials in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Nashik using the same method, he said, reported PTI.

In another case, two history-sheeters were arrested at Virar in Palghar district of Maharashtra for allegedly stealing jewellery and other valuable items of a man, police said on Saturday, reported PTI.

The arrested duo has several criminal cases registered against them in Thane, Mumbai and Palghar districts, they said, reported PTI.

The man lodged a complaint against the duo, accusing them of stealing his gold ornaments after striking a conversation with him in September 2023, an official of the Mira Bhyandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate said, reported PTI.

Following his complaint, the police examined the CCTV footage and zeroed in on the accused - Vijay Dattaram Tambe (54) and Ajay Ashok Sawant (50), he said, reported PTI.

The police arrested them and found that several cases were registered against them in the Mumbai metropolitan region, reported PTI.

While Tambe is named as accused in 53 different offences in Thane, Mumbai and neighbouring townships, Sawant has 13 offences registered against him., the official said, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)