The Nerul police have apprehended Kasam Hasham Mulani, the founder president of the Navi Mumbai Rickshaw Federation, for allegedly attempting to extort Rs2 lakh from a Regional Transport Office (RTO) official. He was caught in the act, accepting a bribe ofRs20,000.
Mulani was reportedly recording Assistant Inspector Kunal Mohite at the Nerul office during vehicle testing. After each recording, he would threaten Mohite, claiming he could harm the official’s reputation.
On August 26, Mulani requested a meeting with Mohite, where he confronted the officer at the testing track. He threatened to make false accusations against Mohite to senior RTO officials unless he received Rs2 lakh, along with a monthly payment of Rs20,000.
Following this, Mohite informed his superior, Assistant RTO Gajanan Gawand. Acting on Gawand’s advice, Mohite contacted the Nerul police to devise a plan to catch Mulani red-handed.
Prior to their meeting, Mohite withdrew Rs20,000 from an ATM, ensuring the serial numbers were recorded by the police. When Mulani arrived, Mohite handed him the cash, at which point Mulani escalated his demands, insisting on an immediate payment of RS1 lakh from the total Rs2 lakh. At that moment, the Nerul police intervened and arrested him.
Mulani, who resides in Taloja, also holds the position of Panvel City District President of the Minority Division of the NCP.
A police spokesperson confirmed, “He has been arrested on extortion charges, and further investigations are underway to determine if he had similar dealings with other officials.”