Following the killing of two site engineers, the gangster is now allegedly giving extortion calls to builder of construction they were involved in, for extorting money
Following the killing of two site engineers, the gangster is now allegedly giving extortion calls to builder of construction they were involved in, for extorting money
Two months after the shootout at an Amboli construction site by gangster Ravi Pujari, in which two engineers were killed, the mobster has now unleashed a fresh round of threats in the city. One of his current targets is the builder who lost the two engineers in the attack, told MiD DAY that he continues to receive threats from the underworld don. 
Post shootout: Himanshu Royu00a0and another cop display seized weapons
after the killings at the builder's office in Amboli. File Pic
"Everyday, an unidentified man calls me up to demand extortion money," said the builder who is facing tremendous heat. "He also threatens me with dire consequences," he added. The builder, fearing for his life, is planning to approach cops to seek fresh police cover. Said Amitabh Gupta, additional commissioner of police, "We will review the matter and take appropriate action." MiD DAY had reported about the shootout ('Pujari gang draws first blood', March 15). Site engineer Somraj Devrasi and supervisor Yogesh Kude were shot from point blank range at an under construction building site in Amboli, Andheri (W).
Not funny any more
Until a few months ago, no one took Pujari's threats seriously. Policemen and peers poked fun at him saying he would demand as low as Rs 25,000 as extortion money. However, after two incidents wherein site engineers were shot at from point blank range, the jokes have ceased to be amusing as the underworld is abuzz that Pujari has finally come of age. One of the immediate angles, which the police are probing, is whether Pujari has the backing of gangster Chhota Rajan as well as his rival Chhota Shakeel. Both the gangs could use him as a front to corner the lion's share of the underworld income in the city.
Underworld insiders say Pujari must have taken the risk to cash in on the huge volume of betting during the Cricket World Cup and IPL matches. The killing may have been orchestrated to send a chilling message to bookies to pay up protection money. On an average, around Rs 2,000 crore changes hands in bets during a World Cup match, sources said. Pujari, a protege of slain gangster Shri Mama, formed a deadly combination with Guru Satam after he broke away from mentor Chhota Rajan.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
