Mumbai: An FIR has been registered at Bangur Nagar police station in Goregaon after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused two of its officials posted in Jaipur of threatening and extorting Rs 2.25 crore from a Mumbai businessman.Mumbai crime branch has been tasked to investigate the case.Amulya Vassa, proprietor of Wintree Tech Pvt Ltd, had complained that on July 20, around 3pm, two men, who identified themselves as Jaipur ED’s assistant director Mohit Garg (36) and enforcement officer Devendra Gupta (35), visited his office at Ken Plaza, Mindspace in Malad West. They questioned him about his business and accused him of dealing in proceeds of crime. The duo did not produce documents supporting the allegations, but threatened a search-and-seizure operation, Vassa claimed.The complaint alleged that the two men threatened to damage Vassa’s reputation and referred to information about his personal life and associates. One of them allegedly instructed him to keep two high-end phones and SIM cards ready for them and took a phone and SIM card registered in an employee’s name.“Vassa alleged that the ED officer initially demanded Rs 5 crore, but settled for Rs 2.25 crore. He allegedly told Vassa that failure to pay could result in strict action and arrest. Later that evening, the complainant and his business associate accompanied the accused to a restaurant in Malad, where the discussions continued. Vassa said he handed over Rs 1 crore the following day,’’ said a police officer.The accused then claimed that the matter had been approved for closure by senior officials. When Vassa sought documentary proof, they told him that the file could only be verified physically in Delhi. On July 25, two of Vassa’s associates allegedly met the accused at a mall in Delhi. They were allegedly shown a document indicating that the matter had been settled, following which the remaining Rs 1.25 crore was paid.The complaint stated that the accused subsequently demanded additional money, claiming that senior officials were unhappy and needed to be paid. They allegedly also sought regular monthly payments, stated the FIR.Vassa later examined the documents and after making enquiries through acquaintances realised that he had been cheated and that the duo had extorted Rs 2.25 crore from him.Crime branch officers said the ED filed the FIR after a preliminary inquiry found that the two men named in the complaint were actually its officials.The complaint alleged that Garg and Gupta, while working as ED officials, misused their positions and the authority of the agency, conspired to intimidate Vassa by falsely portraying him as being involved in transactions involving proceeds of crime, and demanded and accepted Rs 2.25 crore.
