Vanrai Police Arrest Man for Impersonating MPCB Officer in Goregaon
The Vanrai police have arrested a 29-year-old college dropout for allegedly impersonating a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) field officer and extorting Rs 10,000 from a small-scale manufacturing unit owner in Goregaon (East).
The accused, identified as Swaraj Ghosalkar, a resident of Panvel, allegedly visited Laxmi Metallurgical & Marine Engineers on August 25. Posing as MPCB field officer Sachin Mahadik, Ghosalkar raided the furnace manufacturing unit and threatened its 52-year-old owner, Shailesh Powale, with the cancellation of his licence. He extorted Rs 10,000 from Powale, despite the unit meeting all compliance requirements.
Following the initial extortion, Ghosalkar demanded that Powale pay a monthly ransom of Rs 12,000 for the next three years to keep the licence active. Police set up a trap and apprehended Ghosalkar on August 26 when he returned to collect the demanded amount. Officials have recovered the extorted Rs 10,000 from him.
According to the police, Ghosalkar was inspired by the film Special 26 and carried fake identity cards for the MPCB as well as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He reportedly stated that recent hotel raids led by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Munde heightened fear among business operators, making his threats more convincing.
The police team is currently gathering further information on Ghosalkar, who is suspected of using the same modus operandi to cheat multiple small-scale industrial owners.
