Mumbai: Man Posing As CM Devendra Fadnavis' OSD Arrested For Allegedly Extorting More Than ₹3 Crore From Contractor

Mumbai police have apprehended a 40-year-old man from Aurangabad for allegedly assuming the identity of an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanding a sum of Rs 3.25 crore from a civil contractor. The suspect, identified as Asif Ismail Pathan, is accused of promising to aid the contractor in clearing outstanding Public Works Department (PWD) bills worth Rs 50 crore.

According to the police, Pathan allegedly approached the contractor, Ranjitsingh Oberoi, and claimed that he could help in settling the pending bills. However, Oberoi, after receiving Rs 3.25 crore, later reported that Pathan demanded an additional Rs 75 lakh, threatening that the money already paid would be forfeited and the bills would remain unsettled if the contractor did not comply.

Oberoi subsequently filed a complaint with the police, leading to Pathan's arrest. During the investigation, it is alleged that Pathan introduced Oberoi to another individual who claimed to have the authority to assist in the clearance of the outstanding payments. Oberoi, trusting Pathan's assurances, handed over Rs 1.5 crore to one of Pathan's associates on September 10.

The complainant's complaint led to the arrest of Pathan, who was subsequently produced before a court and remanded in police custody until November 6. The police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend any other individuals involved in the alleged scheme.