Mumbai: Accused arrested in Malad extortion case; small traders get relief

Accused Sanjay Ramji Yadav

The Malad Police have arrested a man accused of extorting money from small traders in the Malad area by threatening to shut down their businesses through complaints posted on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).

The accused, identified as Sanjay Ramji Yadav, a resident of the Prem Nagar slum in Goregaon (West), allegedly targeted small business owners by warning them that adverse complaints would be lodged online unless payments were made.

Following complaints from the affected traders, Malad Police registered a case under Crime No. 950/2025, invoking Section 308 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Acting on technical analysis and specific intelligence inputs, the police traced and arrested the accused.

Police officials said the action has brought considerable relief to the affected traders and their families. Senior Police Inspector Dushyant Chavan of Malad Police Station stated that strict action would be taken against those who exploit the poor and vulnerable or misuse social media platforms to commit crimes. "Such offences will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he said, underscoring the police's resolve to act firmly against extortion and digital misuse.