about 10.30 pm while the first informant was on his way home, a white ‘Ertiga’ car intercepted him. Two persons alighted from the said car and called the informant by his name. They represented themselves to be police. The first informant was forced into the car. There were five persons in the car. They started to abuse, assault and threaten the first informant. He was threatened that he would be implicated in a prosecution. Initially a ransom of Rs. 10 lakhs was demanded. Eventually, the first informant agreed to pay Rs. 2 lakhs in cash and a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs after 8 days. At about 3.45 am after the brother in law of the first informant brought cash amount of Rs. 2 lakhs, the first informant was released amidst threat that if he reported the matter to anybody, he would be killed. 4. On 4th February, 2023 an unknown person again called the first informant and demanded the balance ransom of Rs. 3 lakhs. The first informant lodged a complaint on 6th February, 2023. 5. On 11th February, 2023 upon being informed that the suspects in C.R. No. 56 of 2023 were to come near Bhiwandi in a ‘Wagon R’ car, the police conducted a surveillance. The applicants along with co-accused Sanjay Mhatre and Kailas Patange were apprehended. Incriminating articles including forged identity card, police caps and cane were recovered from the car especially from the possession of co-accused Kailas Patange.
