Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Jun 24: In a major breakthrough, Goa Police have busted two separate extortion gangs operating in North Goa, arresting five individuals accused of targeting businessmen and threatening them for ransom.

In the first case, a complaint was filed by Avinash Sinde, a resident of Reis Magos, alleging that on June 9, he was intercepted by three men—Tarzan Parsekar from Nagoa, Sagar Patil, and an unidentified accomplice—who blocked his way while he was returning home. The trio allegedly abused and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay them an extortion amount of Rs 1 lakh every month.
SP North Goa Rahul Gupta confirmed that the accused had previously extorted Rs 1 lakh from the complainant on multiple occasions using threats. An FIR was registered at the Porvorim Police Station, and investigations revealed that the High Court of Bombay at Goa had already cancelled Parsekar and Patil’s bail in March 2024, post which the duo had gone into hiding.

After tracking their movements for five days, Porvorim police, aided by Pernem police, raided a house in Pernem where the suspects were hiding. A scuffle ensued, but both Parsekar and Patil were apprehended from the first floor of the house owned by Ajit Satardekar.

In a separate incident reported on June 8, Muaaz Shaikh from Keri and his uncle Abbas Karol of Sanquelim were intercepted by a group of men while travelling by car. The group, led by Salman Ruwabali Khan (26), Maksud Azad Khan (29), and three other unidentified individuals, including one on a motorcycle, threatened Karol and demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom.

However, the assailants fled upon realising that the victim had contacted the police via the 112-emergency helpline. Following a swift investigation, Bicholim police arrested Salman and Maksud. During interrogation, the duo revealed that the third accused, Siddharth, was the one who provided the gang with details about the victims’ route from Sanquelim to Mayem.

SP Rahul Gupta assured that further investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining culprits. Both cases have highlighted the urgency of tackling organized extortion threats to ensure the safety and peace of the business community in Goa.