Two persons, including a woman, were arrested for allegedly demanding ₹10 crore from a BJP corporator to help him make an MLC.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Makarand Ranade said acting on a complaint filed by corporator Manohar Dumbre, a trap was laid at a hotel on Tuesday, and the accused, identified as Anud Shirgaon Kar (29) from Kalyan and Anil Bhanushali (31) from Navi Mumbai, were apprehended. A search is on for the third accused, Abdulla Ansari.
According to Mr. Dumbre, he received a phone call from the duo on March 4, stating they could help him become a member of the Council if he paid ₹10 crore. The two claimed they were well connected in political circles and could arrange a meeting between him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Mr. Dumbre said as he suspected the credentials of the callers, he discussed the issue with his friends and then contacted the CM. After getting convinced the two were out to cheat him, Mr. Dumbre lodged a complaint and the duo were picked up when they came to collect an advance of ₹25 lakh.
The duo had told Mr. Dumbre that nominations for MLC polls would take place in June/July, and he was required to pay an advance of ₹25 lakh and ₹4.75 crore before swearing- in. The balance, ₹5 crore, was to be paid after the swearing-in.
On March 19, the woman asked Mr. Dumbre to submit his bio-data and made him speak to a man posing as the CM, the police said. The man was later identified as Mr. Ansari.
