Pune: The Chatushrungi police on Thursday registered a case against an Aundh resident and his three accomplices for allegedly demanding extortion money from a restaurant owner before ransacking the establishment and damaging vehicles parked outside after their demand was refused.The accused have been booked under sections 308 (extortion), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).According to the complaint filed by the restaurant and bar owner, the accused and his associates first visited the establishment on May 20 and allegedly threatened the manager. They demanded Rs 20,000 every month as protection money and free liquor if the owner wished to continue operating the business in the area.“When the manager refused, they pelted stones at the shutter and warned him against approaching the police,” an officer from the Chatushrungi police said. The owner, however, did not file a complaint at that time.In the early hours of Thursday, the accused allegedly returned with three accomplices, abused the manager over the refusal to pay the monthly extortion amount and provide free liquor, and vandalised the premises.“The accused smashed liquor bottles at the counter with a stick and broke the glass of a refrigerator. His accomplices damaged parked two-wheelers and the windscreen of a car outside,” the officer said.Before fleeing, the accused allegedly threatened the owner, claimed to be the area’s “Bhai”, rammed the already damaged vehicles with their car and escaped. Police are investigating the case.
