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Dharavi Extortion Ring Posed as BMC Officials, Police Arrest One Suspect

Community pressure following a viral video prompted police action.

Overview

  • Dharavi police registered an FIR under BNS sections 308(2), 204 and 3(5) naming Dipali Deepak Dalvi, Megha Sonawane, Hanumanta Nagappa Kunchikurve and one unidentified person.
  • The complaint states two women posed as BMC staff on October 30, photographed children inside a factory and extorted Rs 25,000 by threatening child‑labour action.
  • The group returned on December 1 with Kunchikurve to demand more money, locals confronted them, and the encounter was captured in a clip that spread online.
  • Police have arrested Kunchikurve, 36, while the two named women and another suspect remain at large as the investigation continues.
  • Investigators say at least four victims have reported payments of Rs 5,000–25,000 and suspect former clean‑up marshals ran the scheme for months, netting about Rs 80,000 in a single day.