Mumbai News: Cafe Owner, 8 Aides Held For Alleged ₹500 Crore Land Grab Attempt In Goregaon

The Bangur Nagar police on Wednesday arrested a cafe owner, who has been booked in several cases earlier, and his eight associates for allegedly trying to grab the land of a Goregaon company and assaulting and threatening the security guards and firm officials.

According to police, the plot's market value is around Rs500 crore. The main accused, Baba Khan, had been arrested by the Malvani police on July 15, 2024, in an extortion case. He is said to be involved in various illegal activities. The police are now investigating whether the accused has links with the land mafia or the builder lobby.

An officer said, “Preliminary probe revealed that Khan and his associates attempted to forcibly take possession of the company’s land and intended to extort money.” Three cases have previously been filed against Khan at the Dindoshi, Malvani and Nagpada police stations, said the officer.

According to police reports, on April 29, Khan and his associates barged into the premises of Laxmi Asbestos Products Ltd, which is located in Goregaon West. They allegedly demolished a compound wall using a JCB and levelled the plot with stones brought in at least 25 dumpers.

When the complainant, Amit Bub, 46, a constituted attorney of the company, and his colleague questioned the accused, they reportedly asked them to vacate the land, while threatening to kill them. The company approached the Bangur Nagar police, after which an FIR was registered. Besides, the firm also appointed two security guards.

The police said they were investigating the matter when on May 9, Khan along with 10 to 15 of his associates again stormed into the company premises. This time, they were allegedly armed with swords, pistols and knives. When the guards tried to stop them, the accused assaulted them and gave death threats. The accused again claimed ownership of the land and demanded that it be vacated.

The guards then contacted manager Dharmendra Somani, who was also reportedly assaulted when he intervened. Khan and his aides left, giving a 24-hour deadline to vacate the premises.

Subsequently, Bub filed a fresh complaint, after which a case was registered under section 25(3) (possession of illegal arms) of the Arms Act along with provisions 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 189(2) and 189(4) (unlawful assembly), 190 (offence committed by members of an unlawful assembly), 191(3) (rioting), 333 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt or assault) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The court has remanded all the accused to police custody until May 19.