₹11-Crore Extortion Bid: Five Held in Mumbai, Chhota Rajan Gang Name Allegedly Used
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Mumbai, September03: The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) has arrested five people for allegedly demanding ₹11 crore from a real estate developer involved in a redevelopment project in Bandra West. The accused allegedly invoked the name of underworld don Chhota Rajan to threaten the developer.
The developer subsequently approached the AEC, which laid a trap. Police said Daniel Steven, Ethel Steven and Nazir Shaikh arrived to collect the first instalment of ₹25 lakh. Instead, officers handed them a bag containing “Children’s Bank of India” currency and apprehended them. Khan and Fernandes were also arrested.
The Crime Branch is now investigating other suspects and whether the accused had genuine underworld links or merely exploited the Chhota Rajan name to intimidate the developer.
Those arrested have been identified as Daniel Steven, Ethel Steven, Nazir Shaikh, Abdullah Khan and Remy Fernandes. They were produced before a court and remanded in police custody till September 5.
According to police, the redevelopment project involved a property reportedly belonging to the Archdiocese of Bombay Trust. Dilje Property Developers Pvt Ltd entered into a registered agreement for the project in June 2026. After the dilapidated structure was demolished, the accused allegedly opposed the construction and began demanding money.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell has arrested five people for allegedly demanding ₹11 crore from a real estate developer in Bandra and attempting to collect ₹25 lakh as the first instalment. The accused — Daniel Steven, Ethel Steven, Nazir Sheikh,… pic.twitter.com/QwJWnzHDQ7
— IANS (@ians_india) September 2, 2026
On June 26, around 10-15 people allegedly reached the site in two vehicles. Some were reportedly armed and threatened the site supervisor and security personnel, demanding that work be stopped. The developer was allegedly threatened with false criminal cases, including sexual-offence charges, and physical harm.
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The Crime Branch is now investigating other suspects and whether the accused had genuine underworld links or merely exploited the Chhota Rajan name to intimidate the developer.