The Bhayander police have arrested six men, including a cop deployed at Navi Mumbai police headquarters and a journalist attached to a local newspaper, on the charge of kidnapping and extortion. The crime was allegedly committed at the behest of an RTI activist and drug peddler, who wanted to settle scores with his partner. Police Naik Babasaheb Dinkar Misal and his three associates kidnapped drug peddler Sameer Pandurang Sakpal and his agent to extort Rs 12 lakh, said the police.

“Misal was contacted by RTI activist Sunil Kadam, who knew that Sakpal peddled ganja and cough up money easily,” said an officer from Navghar police. On August 14, Misal took a four-wheeler, changed its number plate and reached Bhayandar along with Navi Mumbai residents Abrar Ali, Oliver and Sunil Shinde. He had been informed that Sakpal sold drugs in Bhayandar.