Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell has arrested notorious gangster DK Rao and six of his accomplices for allegedly demanding ₹2.5 crore in extortion from a hotel owner in Andheri. The gang also pressured the businessman to sell his hotel and issued death threats.
According to the Crime Branch, on Wednesday night around 8 PM, officers conducted a dramatic film-style chase with three vehicles to apprehend D K Rao. The chase ended near Sion Circle, where police intercepted Rao's car and arrested him. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigations are underway.
The case came to light after a senior citizen hotelier filed a complaint with the Anti-Extortion Cell. The complainant alleged that DK Rao, along with six others, conspired to take over his hotel, demanded ₹2.5 crore, and issued death threats.
The businessman, who has leased the hotel operations to another party, stated that he had no intention of selling it. However, DK Rao, in collaboration with accused Imran Kaleem Shaikh, who was managing the hotel on lease, had been pressuring him for six months to sell the property for ₹2.5 crore. When the complainant refused, he was repeatedly threatened with dire consequences.
The hotelier, distressed by the threats, approached the Anti-Extortion Cell, prompting an investigation. Acting on leads, the Crime Branch arrested DK Rao and the other six accused.
DK Rao's Criminal Record: The Crime Branch revealed that DK Rao has a long history of criminal activities, with 41 cases registered against him. These include high-profile crimes such as the murder of Swapnil Nandoskar in Pune and the killing of OP Singh in Nasik Jail. Rao began his criminal career in the 1990s with petty crimes before joining the infamous Chhota Rajan gang, becoming notorious for extortion.
Among the cases against him are six murder charges, five related to robbery, and numerous extortion cases. DK Rao was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in October 2022 in an organized crime case, after which he had been operating freely until his recent arrest.
The Anti-Extortion Cell continues its investigation into the case, ensuring justice for the complainant and taking firm action against the accused.
