Mumbai: Cops nab 4 con men for luring BJP's Daund MLA Rahul Kul with Rs 100 cr 'cabinet berth'

Four conmen who tried to offer Maharashtra legislator of a cabinet berth for Rupees 100 crore in the newly formed Eknath Shinde Devendra Fadnavis government in the state were arrested by the Mumbai Police Anti-Extortion Cell.

BJP MLA from Daund, Rahul Kul had lodged a complaint about the demand for Rs 100 crore in return for facilitating a ministerial post in the newly formed government. The accused identified as Riyaaz Sheikh (41), Yogesh Kulkarni (57), Sagar Sangwai (37) and Jaffar Ahmed Rashid Ahmed Usmani (53) had reached out to the legislator's personal assistant last weekend offering to facilitate a cabinet minister post in the Maharashtra government through top BJP leadership in Delhi.

“Sheikh had contacted the MLA Kul on July 12 but as the legislator did not respond, the impostor reached out to the MLA’s personal assistant claiming to have come from Delhi to meet the MLA. PA had a word with Kul the next day after which they called Sheikh to meet him at Nariman Point hotel,” said an officer in the investigation team.

RahulKul suspecting foul play contacted the party higher up about the offer for a cabinet berth. In the meeting, the Kul tried to negotiate with the accused to make it look like he was interested and offered Rs 90 crores of Rs 100 crores demanded. Riyaz asked for 20 per cent of the money as advance which the MLA agreed to pay to ask for time to arrange for the funds. “Riyaz Sheikh demanded 20 per cent of the amount Rupees 18 crore, in advance. Kul called him to Trident hotel and asked him to collect the advance and simultaneously informed the police,” the officer added.

The anti-Extortion team laid a trap and arrested Sheikh on arrival at the hotel to collect the cash from Rahul Rahul Kul and his PA with another BJP MLA Jaykumar Gore were present. In sustained questioning, Sheikh revealed the roles of other gang members Kulkarni and Sangwai, who were arrested from Thane later in the night. Kulkarni and Sangwai led the police to a Nagpada resident who claimed to know a person Delhi into lobbying to facilitate ministerial posts in return for Rs 50-60 crore

“Usmani appears to be the kingpin of the gang and is in contact with someone in Delhi. Investigations are on to find out the role of the Delhi-based individual in the case. The conman impersonating to represent a top BJP functionary who wanted to cheat the MLA of pay Rs 100 crore on the pretext of getting him a ministerial berth. The case has come to light amid speculation of reallocation of portfolios in the newly formed Maharashtra government,” revealed an AEC officer.