Wadala TT Police have arrested a 43-year-old habitual offender for allegedly demanding an extortion of Rs 5 lakh from a 26-year-old doctor by threatening to leak a private video. The accused has been identified as Raja Venu Naykar alias KD Raja, who has over 15 previous criminal cases registered against him, including for extortion, assault, intimidation, and theft. Preventive action had also been taken against him multiple times in the past.
According to police, the incident took place on March 6, when the accused visited the doctor’s clinic and showed him a private image from his mobile phone. He then demanded Rs 60,000 to keep the video from going viral. Fearing consequences, the doctor told the accused he did not have the money at the time and transferred Rs 1,500 via GPay. While leaving the clinic, the accused again threatened the doctor and demanded the full amount soon.
A few days later, the accused returned to the clinic and escalated his demands, asking for Rs 5 lakh. He stopped the doctor from attending to patients, manhandled him, and threatened those present, forcing many patients to flee the clinic. He even forced nearby shops to shut down and threatened to halt all business operations in the vicinity.
Terrified by the repeated threats and harassment, the doctor approached Wadala TT Police and lodged a complaint. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case of extortion and arrested Raja. He is said to be a mechanic by profession and a resident of Sion.
Police have revealed that Raja has a criminal background with more than 15 cases of assault, intimidation, extortion, and robbery registered against him. Preventive action has been taken against him 24 times in the past. Investigations indicate that the accused was trying to create an atmosphere of fear in the locality by threatening the doctor and local residents.
The police are currently probing how the accused obtained the doctor’s private video. The video was found stored on his mobile phone, which is being sent for forensic analysis. Police confirmed that Raja was arrested from his residence in the Sion area and further investigation is underway.