Tenth extortion case filed against Pramod Bhagchandani, grocer asked for Rs 1 lakh

Nagpur: Notorious extortionist Pramod Bhagchandani, who has allegedly threatened everyone from government employees and traders to a temple priest to extort money, faces mounting trouble. A new case of extortion and intimidation has been registered against him at Panchpaoli police station on the complaint of Pawan Manglani, a grocer at Kamal Chowk. It is the tenth case against Bhagchandani. Police said he used a complaint about illegal construction as a weapon to demand Rs 1 lakh from the trader, and threatened to have the shop and building demolished and to ruin his entire family if he did not pay.

According to police, Manglani runs a shop called Guru Govind Singh Kirana at Kamal Chowk. In December 2023, Bhagchandani complained to the assistant commissioner of Asifnagar zone and to the municipal commissioner that there was illegal construction in Manglani's shop and building. He then began harassing Manglani by phone. Claiming strong influence in the municipal corporation, he threatened to have the building demolished. In January 2024, Bhagchandani demanded Rs 1 lakh in return for protecting the illegal construction. When Manglani refused to pay, he was threatened repeatedly.

On August 14, 2026, Bhagchandani went to Manglani's shop. Threatening him, he said, "You do not know me, many important people know me. I have taught a lesson to many people. You will see how I ruin you and your family." He then demanded Rs 1 lakh. Frightened by the threats, Manglani agreed to pay Rs 50,000. On September 5 he paid Rs 25,000 to Bhagchandani. It was agreed that the remaining Rs 25,000 would be paid around Diwali. When the rest was not paid, Bhagchandani again threatened to have the illegal construction demolished. After Bhagchandani's alleged extortion came to light, Manglani complained to Panchpaoli police. On the basis of the complaint, police registered a case of extortion and intimidation.

Information has emerged that a total of 10 cases have been registered against Bhagchandani so far. He is currently lodged in Central Jail in judicial custody. Even so, new cases against him keep emerging. On Wednesday, an extortion case was registered against him at Panchpaoli police station on the complaint of Ritesh Pande, priest of a Hanuman temple. Bhagchandani had for a long time been pressuring the priest to pay money by threatening to have the temple demolished.

The news that even a temple priest was not spared has caused widespread anger among residents of North Nagpur. Various religious organisations have demanded stringent action against Bhagchandani. Residents say that through alleged extortion and threats he has crossed all limits of lawlessness, and that such a person should receive the harshest punishment under the law.