Team Herald
MARGAO: Anti-Corruption Bureau and Vigilance Department teams on Tuesday arrested two persons for extorting money near the SGPDA market in Margao.
The duo — Sanjay Shinde (Navelim) and Melvin Soares (Murida), claiming to be from Vigilance Department, were arrested near SGPDA market for extorting Rs 80,000 from the complainant Sydney Torcato.
Sanjay worked as a correspondent for a local news channel while Melvin Soares worked as a contractual correspondent for Information Department.
According to the complainant, both approached Sydney and told him that they are from the Vigilance Department. They told Sydney that there was a vigilance complaint against his open air party hall at Velim. The duo demanded Rs 5 lakh for settling the case with the Vigilance Director.
Earlier, on March 6, the duo approached Sydney and demanded Rs 30,000. Sydney paid them the amount.
“The duo told Sydney that his party hall was in violation of rules and if he did not settle the case the same would be demolished. Sanjay and Melvin called Sydney again and demanded the remaining amount and were caught for extorting Rs 80,000 on Tuesday,” Deputy Superintendent of Anti Corruption Branch Bossuet Silva said.
“The complainant came with CCTV footage of the duo extorting money. The accused called Sydney near SGPDA market and later at Ravindra Bhavan. They later called him near SGPDA market where they were caught red-handed,” Silva disclosed.
The duo has been charged under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 419 and 420 for impersonation and cheating.
