Nagpur man held for allegedly extorting traders by threatening official action; sixth extortion FIR

Tehsil police in Nagpur have arrested Pramod Paresh Bhagchandani in a case of allegedly blackmailing traders by threatening to complain to government departments and to have the police and the excise department act against them. This is reportedly the sixth FIR filed against him on charges of demanding extortion money.

Tehsil police registered a case against Bhagchandani for demanding extortion on the basis of a complaint. He was arrested on Wednesday and produced in court. After the police sought custody for questioning, the court granted him four days' police custody (PCR).

According to the complaint filed at Tehsil police station, Harish Rochaldas Kewalramani (62), a resident of Bairamji Town, is a wholesale cloth trader. His shop is in the Gandhibagh area. The complainant alleges that Pramod Paresh Bhagchandani first called him in 2018 and, abusing him, threatened to embroil him in a dispute.

Being a trader, Kewalramani did not want to get into any dispute. It is alleged that this situation was exploited and Rs 50,000 was taken from him. He then thought it best to keep quiet rather than escalate the matter.

According to the complaint, the matter did not end there. A few years later he was targeted again and money was demanded with a threat of complaining to government departments.

The complainant says Bhagchandani contacted him again by phone in 2024. It is alleged that he demanded Rs 5 lakh, threatening to complain to the police and the excise department. To avoid a dispute and possible harassment, Kewalramani paid Rs 2 lakh, the complaint says. Even so, the demands did not stop. Bhagchandani kept asking for money and the trader tried to avoid him.

It is also alleged that after Kewalramani refused to pay any further, a spate of complaints to government departments began in order to harass him.

The complaint contains another serious allegation. According to Kewalramani, Bhagchandani used to threaten to complain to the police and the excise department. Officials of these departments were also allegedly sent to events organised by the complainant's organisation. This made the trader worry about his business and reputation. He did not want any dispute, but repeated demands for money and the fear of government action kept adding to his difficulties, the complainant says.

Cases are registered against Bhagchandani at various police stations in the city, and complaints have reportedly been received from other people as well. The latest FIR at Tehsil police station is said to be the sixth extortion-related case against him. Police are now verifying these complaints and investigating the entire sequence of the alleged extortion. It is hoped that the action will give traders who have so far hesitated to come forward for fear of threats the courage to file complaints.

The allegations in the complaint can be confirmed only after investigation. The registration of an FIR against a person does not mean the allegations are proved. The police investigation and court proceedings are currently under way.