Extortionist arrested from SP MLA Abu Azmi's office

A 22-year-old man was arrested from the office of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for demanding extortion money of Rs one crore from his son Farhan, police said on Friday.

The police suspect the accused, identified as Khalid Ansari, who hails from Bhiwandi, as member of notorious Ravi Pujari gang. The accused on Wednesday went to the Colaba-based office of Abu Azmi, father of Farhan, days after the latter complained to police of receiving threatening calls from Ravi Pujari for ransom, police said.

The office staff was stunned to see Ansari who after enquiring about Farhan demanded the extortion amount while he was told that Farhan was not there in the office. "Ansari claimed that one Abdullah had sent him to collect the money. The unarmed accused even carried a huge bag and asked for money," said Vinod Sawant, senior inspector at Colaba police station.

"The staff made him to sit (in the office) citing some reasons and immediately alerted the police, following which our men swung into action and nabbed him from the office", Sawant said. We suspect him to be a member of Ravi Pujari gang, he added.

Police are surprised over Ansari directly going to the office and demanding money. "He does not appear to be a hardcore criminal," said another officer. The accused was remanded in police custody till March 21, police said adding further probe was on.