Police seize SUV from Mhada man

MUMBAI: The city crime branch seized lakhs of rupees, a Range Rover and important documents from Mhada deputy collector Nitesh Thakur's Chembur residence on Friday.
Thakur and his brother Nilesh were arrested on Monday for threatening builder Mukesh Wagela.
''We are surprised how a government official could enjoy such a luxurious life,'' a police official said.Sources said that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) may ask for Nitesh's custody once the crime branch completes its investigations.
Nitesh, who has been absent from duty for five years, may be suspended, police officials said.
Mhada officials had informed the state government that Nitesh had gone on leave without permission. But Nitesh, in an affidavit to the ACB, stated that he had applied for leave after he met with an accident.
Crime branch senior inspector S Kale said Nilesh was the proprietor of PRS Enterprises that was a consultant for the redevelopment of a property in Kandivli. Wagela and Pandurang Thakur were app-ointed as middle-men and were promised a 5% cut of the Rs 148 crore profit earned by PRS.
But in three years they were paid only Rs 30 lakh each and were given a jeep.
Nilesh, owed Wagela Rs 14.5 crore but instead of repaying the builder, used gangsters to extort more cash, the inspector said. "On one occasion Nitish called Wagela and Thakur to a Sion hotel, offered them Rs 25 lakh each as final settlement and beat them for refusing to accept it. Last year, Wagela got calls from Dubai by a man named Ganibhai who threatened to kill him and demanded Rs 2 crore," a police officer said.
TOI was the first to report on Nitesh Thakur in its Tuesday edition.
Nitesh and his brother have been sent to police custody till February 18.
The crime branch will handover the details of his investments to the state anti-corruption bureau Alibaug unit, investigating a disproportionate assets case against Thakur. Police said that the state government may suspend Thakur who is absent from duty for last five years. MHADA had informed the government that Thakur went on leave without permission though he claimed later that that he was on leave on medical grounds. Thakur in his affidavit submitted to the special Anti-Corruption Bureau court had stated that he met with an accident and was on leave.
Crime branch arrested Thakur and his brother Nilesh Thakur on Monday in a threatening and extortion case. "We are surprised how a government official enjoyed a luxurious life," said an officer on condition of anonymity.Sources said the ACB may ask for his custody once the crime branch completes its investigations. Thakur and his brother Nilesh Thakur were produced in the local court and sent to police custody till February 18.
Police also found copies of cheques which Thakur gave to another accused Sunil Bhaide. Bhaide and one Ganibhai from Dubai called complainant Mukesh Waghela and threatened him. Police are looking for Thakur's associates Bhayde, Santosh Konekar and Ganibhai. They threatened complainant Mukesh Waghela to withdraw his demand for his dues.
Senior inspector Sripad Kale, Thakur had opened a company PRS consultant in his brother Nitesh's name and used to take liasoning and other works for the builders. He appointed Waghle and one Pandurang Thakur for liasoning for a commission of 5 percent each. As per records Thakur made a profit of Rs 148 crore and as per agreement he was to pay Rs 7.5 crore each to Waghela and Pandurang Thakur. Thakur paid only Rs 30 lakhs each and whenever duo demanded money he threatened them and recently Waghela started receiving calls from underworld to withdraw his demand.
Anti-corruption bureau said Thakur is worth over Rs 500 crore and runs several private companies. Lucky Angel Group is owned by Thakur's mother Chhaya and his brother Nilesh. The firm's annual turnover is Rs 300 crore.