A major extortion case involving a Marathi actress has taken a dramatic turn, drawing attention not just for the crime itself but also for the personal connections now under scrutiny. The Mumbai Police’s Anti-Extortion Squad has arrested two women for allegedly demanding a ransom of Rs 10 crore from a Goregaon-based builder, and the case has sent ripples through both real estate and entertainment circles.
One of the arrested accused is Hemlata Patkar, also known as Hemlata Aditya Patkar or Hemlata Bane, aged 39 and a resident of Kandivali. The second accused is Amarina Iqbal Zaveri, also known as Alice or Amarina Mathew Fernandes, aged 33, a Santacruz resident. The Mumbai Crime Branch reportedly caught the two women red-handed while accepting Rs 1.5 crore, the first instalment of the alleged Rs 10 crore extortion demand.
Following their arrest, both accused were produced before the Esplanade Court, which remanded them to police custody till Monday. Investigators sought extended custody, telling the court that the accused were not cooperating with the investigation and that crucial evidence was yet to be collected. Police informed the court that Hemlata Patkar’s handwriting samples and Amarina Zaveri’s voice samples are still pending.
What has further intensified public interest is Hemlata Patkar’s connection to the Marathi entertainment industry. She is reportedly associated with the industry and is also the daughter-in-law of senior Marathi actress Archana Patkar, who is widely known for her role as Kanchan Deshmukh in the popular television serial Aai Kuthe Kay Karte. After this link came to light, the case sparked widespread discussion within the television and film fraternity, with many expressing shock over the allegations.
Police also told the court that a criminal case under Sections 452, 323, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code has already been registered against Hemlata Patkar at the Meghwadi police station in an earlier incident. Investigators are now probing whether the accused have been involved in similar extortion attempts in the past and whether other victims may have been targeted by the same group, along with absconding accomplices.
The complainant, Arvind Goyal, a 52-year-old builder from Goregaon West, alleged that the accused demanded Rs 10 crore to “settle” a criminal case registered against his son at the Amboli police station. Troubled by the demand and alleged threats, Goyal approached the Crime Branch, which led to a trap being laid and the eventual arrests.
As the investigation continues, police have not ruled out more arrests. Authorities are now focused on uncovering the full extent of the alleged extortion racket and determining whether it extends beyond this single case.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
