Pune: Despite repeated interventions by the authorities, businesses in the Chakan MIDC area of Maharashtra continue to face threats and extortion demands from local gangsters.

The Commissioner of Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the Superintendent of Police, Rural Police Department, have assured companies of taking measures against these criminal activities. However, the harassment remains persistent, affecting the local business environment.

In a recent case, a gangster demanded a monthly extortion fee of ₹1,10,000 from a businessman operating in the Chakan MIDC area. The businessman, Amol Shedge (35), a resident of Waghjainagar in Khed Taluka, lodged a complaint at the Mahalunge Police Station.

According to the complaint, on Wednesday morning, Shedge received a phone call from Pradip alias Gotya Padwal (31), a resident of Ambethan in Khed Taluka.

Padwal verbally abused Shedge and his brother, Navnath Shedge, threatening them with violence if they refused to pay the monthly amount. He explicitly warned that failure to comply would result in their deaths.

Police have registered a case against Padwal, and Police Sub-Inspector Mulla is currently leading the investigation into the matter.

Recently, two individuals, Vaibhav Pacharne and Somnath Pathare, both residents of Kharadi, were accused of illegally entering the premises of Barclays Global Service Center in Kharadi for extorting money.

The duo allegedly intimidated the company’s management, demanding that they be awarded a transportation contract, citing their local status. They further threatened to cause trouble for the management if their demands were not met.