Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have taken custody of notorious gangster Ravi Pujari in connection with a 2018 case involving an alleged attempt to extort Rs 50 lakh from well-known choreographer and filmmaker Remo D’Souza and his wife. Officials confirmed on Friday that the custody was secured as part of ongoing efforts to prosecute multiple pending cases against the fugitive gangster, who has a long criminal record spanning several states.
According to police sources, Pujari was brought to Mumbai from a Bengaluru prison by the crime branch’s anti-extortion cell (AEC) and produced before a local court on Thursday. The court subsequently remanded him to police custody till January 27, enabling investigators to question him in detail about the extortion attempt and his wider criminal network.
Extortion threat linked to financial dispute
Police officials said the case dates back to 2018, when Ravi Pujari allegedly issued threats to Remo D’Souza and his wife, demanding Rs 50 lakh. The threats were reportedly linked to a financial dispute involving the choreographer and a film producer. Investigators believe that Pujari sought to exploit the situation to extort money by intimidating the couple.
At the time, the alleged threats caused concern within the film industry, which has frequently been targeted by organised crime syndicates in the past. Based on a complaint, the Mumbai Police registered a case and initiated an investigation, though Pujari had remained outside the reach of local law enforcement for several years.
Custody secured from Bengaluru prison
Officials from the crime branch said the anti-extortion cell formally took custody of Pujari from the Bengaluru prison after completing legal formalities. He was then escorted to Mumbai under tight security and presented before a magistrate.
An official said that this is the second case among nine pending matters in which Mumbai Police have sought and obtained Pujari’s custody. “The extortion case involving Remo D’Souza is one of several serious cases pending against him. His custodial interrogation is crucial to establish the chain of events and identify any accomplices,” the official said.
Long criminal record across states
Ravi Pujari, aged 56, is a well-known name in organised crime circles and has been accused in as many as 49 cases registered across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and parts of Karnataka. His alleged crimes include extortion, criminal intimidation and links to organised crime syndicates.
Police officials said Pujari had operated from abroad for several years, which made his arrest and prosecution challenging. His activities have been under the scanner of multiple law enforcement agencies, given the inter-state nature of his alleged offences.
Senegal nod enables prosecution
A significant development in the legal proceedings against Pujari came last year, when the government of Senegal approved his prosecution in nine cases registered in India. According to officials, this approval paved the way for Indian authorities to formally pursue legal action against him in multiple jurisdictions.
Among the nine cases approved for prosecution, three involve the invocation of the stringent Maharashtra Control Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The application of MCOCA underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies view Pujari’s alleged role in organised crime.
An officer familiar with the matter said that securing custody in each pending case is a step-by-step process. “We have to obtain transit remand and court permission separately for every case. This extortion case is one of the priority matters because it involves threats to high-profile individuals,” the officer said.
Focus on dismantling extortion networks
The anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai Police has been actively pursuing cases related to organised crime and extortion rackets, particularly those targeting businesspersons and individuals from the entertainment industry. Officials said that questioning Pujari could provide crucial leads about extortion networks, methods of operation, and possible links with other accused persons.
Investigators are also expected to examine call records, financial transactions and communication channels allegedly used by Pujari to issue threats and coordinate activities.
Conclusion
The transfer of Ravi Pujari into Mumbai Police custody marks an important step in the long-pending extortion case involving Remo D’Souza and his wife. With several serious cases still pending against the gangster, officials said further custodial interrogation and court proceedings are likely in the coming weeks. The police maintain that sustained legal action is essential to ensure accountability and to deter organised crime syndicates operating across state and national boundaries.