NADEEM ABDUL SATTAR LAKDAWALA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Applicant seeks bail in DCB CID Crime No.5 of 2020 and DCB CID Crime No.23 of 2019 for offences punishable under Ss. 387 and 120B of the IPC and Ss. 3(1) (ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (the MCOC Act).

(2.) The First Informant in Bail Application No.3203 of 2021 is a builder. It is alleged that between 14/09/2019 till 03/01/2020 the First Informant had received several international calls and threatening messages from the co-accused Ejaz Lakdawala, the gang leader, for extortion of money. Pursuant to the FIR lodged by the First Informant at Bandra Police Station, Crime No.24 of 2020 came to be registered for offence under Sec. 387 r/w 34 of the IPC . The crime was subsequently investigated by Anti Extortion Cell, DCB, CID under Crime No.5 of 2020.

(3.) The First Informant in Bail Application No.3332 of 2021 is a partner of M/s. Hicons Developers, engaged in construction activity. It is alleged that from 5/12/2018 till 27/02/2019 the First Informant received threatening calls from the co-accused-Ejaz Lakdawala demanding an extortion amount of Rs.50,00,000.00. Based on the First Information Report, Crime No.117 of 2019 came to be registered at Khar Police Station for offence under Sec. 387 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code . Subsequently, the investigation was transferred to DCB CID and registered as Crime No.23 of 2019.