MCOCA action begins against Navi Mumbai man accused of extorting builder while posing as RTI activist

Navi Mumbai Police have begun action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Tribhuvan Lalbihari Singh and his associates, who are accused of threatening a builder and extorting money from him. The accused allegedly frightened the builder by posing as Right to Information (RTI) activists. Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Sakore gave prior approval for the action on October 21.

The case concerns Jitendra Singh, a builder from the Digha area. His construction projects are under way in Airoli Sector 8-A and the Digha area. According to the allegations, the accused, Tribhuvan Singh, repeatedly abused him from May 2026. He also threatened to file complaints with the municipal corporation, CIDCO and MIDC.

It is further alleged that he threatened to cause financial loss and to break the builder's arms and legs. Out of this fear, a total of Rs 1.35 lakh was extorted from the builder in cash and online. The accused then demanded a further Rs 5,000. A case over this demand was registered at Rabale police station.

Police said the main accused, Tribhuvan Lalbihari Singh, is 47 and lives in Ishwarnagar, Digha. Seven cases are registered against him at Rabale, Rabale MIDC and Kalwa police stations. They include cases under the POCSO Act and the Atrocities Act, as well as forcible theft and assault. Taking his alleged organised crime activities seriously, Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Sawant of Rabale police station had proposed action under MCOCA.

The proposal was sent to Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Sakore through the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) and Vijay Kharat, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1. With the prior approval granted, the way is now clear for further action under MCOCA against the accused and his associates. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Chaudhari (Port Division) is investigating the case further.

According to police, cases have been registered against Tribhuvan Singh earlier too at different police stations. Some other instances of alleged extortion from builders have also come to light. However, the registration of a case does not mean the accused has been proven guilty in those matters. The allegations in each case must go through a separate legal process.