Pune: A former employee of a prominent waste paper businessman in Pune was arrested for demanding ₹70 lakh as extortion and threatening to kill the businessman and his family if the money was not paid. The accused, identified as 31-year-old Miteen Dewlal Saroj, was arrested by the Crime Branch Unit 1 team.

Saroj, a resident of Babhanpur village in Uttar Pradesh, currently resides in Lohianagar, Pune, and works at a grocery store. According to police reports, Saroj was previously employed by the complainant, Suraj Bagmar. Disputes over salary and job conditions led Saroj to quit his job, harboring a grudge against his former employer. Seeking revenge, he used his wife’s mobile phone to make threatening calls.

The incident came to light when Bagmar reported receiving a call from an unknown number demanding ₹60-70 lakh. The caller issued a death threat against Bagmar and his family if the money was not paid. Acting on the complaint, the Crime Branch Unit 1 launched an investigation parallel to Khadak Police Station’s inquiry.

Through technical surveillance and informant intelligence, the police discovered that Saroj was employed at a shop in Somwar Peth. He was apprehended by police officer Shubham Desai. During questioning, Saroj admitted that the extortion attempt was driven by resentment over his past disagreements with Bagmar.

The arrest and investigation were conducted under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Nikhil Pingale, and Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Ganesh Ingle. The investigating team included Senior Inspector Shabbir Syed, Assistant Inspector Abhijeet Patil, and police officers Shubham Desai, Nilesh Sable, and Vitthal Salunkhe.