States » WestPosted at: Nov 3 2026 4:22PM


Man arrested for posing as Fadnavis’ OSD, demanding Rs 3.25 cr from contractor

Mumbai, Nov 3 (UNI) The Marine Drive police have arrested a 40-year-old man from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the charge of posing as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and demanding Rs 3.25 crore from a contractor by promising to secure clearance of pending Public Works Department (PWD) bills worth Rs 50 crore.
The accused, identified as Asif Ismail Pathan, allegedly demanded money as a commission for getting the contractor’s pending bills approved. Despite receiving Rs 3.25 crore, he reportedly demanded an additional Rs 75 lakh.
The case came to light after Ranjitsingh Oberoi, a contractor associated with Oberoi Construction in Akola, realised that he had been cheated and approached the police. According to the complaint, the accused posed as a senior government official at Mantralaya and assured the contractor that he would facilitate the clearance of his pending PWD bills.
On September 10, the accused allegedly arranged a meeting in Mumbai and collected Rs 1.25 crore through an associate. However, on September 30, Oberoi visited Mantralaya to verify the accused's credentials and discovered that the person was not a government official.
Following the complaint, the Marine Drive police registered a case and arrested Pathan. He was produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody until November 6.
The police are investigating the involvement of other accomplices and are attempting to recover the extorted money and seize the vehicle allegedly used in the crime. Investigators also suspect that the accused may have cheated other contractors using a similar modus operandi.
UNI SP ATP MCR
Tags: #Man arrested for posing as Fadnavis’ OSD# demanding Rs 3.25 cr from contractor
More News

Maharashtra sets up Public Relief Society to mobilise funds for critical illnesses, disaster relief

03 Nov 2026 | 10:46 PM

Mumbai, Nov 3 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has established the 'Maharashtra Public Relief Society' to mobilise additional funds for providing financial assistance to economically weaker sections affected by critical illnesses, natural calamities and other emergencies.

see more..

ACB arrests revenue officer, private agent for accepting Rs 12,000 bribe in Kolhapur

03 Nov 2026 | 10:41 PM

Kolhapur, Nov 3 (UNI) Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials on Tuesday arrested a contract-based rural revenue officer and his private agent for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 to facilitate a correction in a land record (7/12 extract) in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district.

see more..

Maharashtra launches ‘Public Relief Society’ to boost financial aid for critical illnesses & disasters

03 Nov 2026 | 10:40 PM

Mumbai, Nov 3 (UNI) In a significant move aimed at providing enhanced financial assistance to citizens affected by drought, natural calamities, and life-threatening illnesses, the Mahayuti government has announced the establishment of the 'Maharashtra Public Relief Society'.

see more..

Maha: Debt-ridden farmer dies by suicide in Yeola ahead of Diwali

03 Nov 2026 | 9:24 PM

Nashik, Nov 3 (UNI) In a tragic incident just days before the Diwali festival, a 59-year-old farmer from Paregaon village in Yeola taluka allegedly died by suicide after reportedly struggling with continuous crop failures and mounting debt.

see more..

Maha: Prakash Ambedkaro accuses Maha govt of 'handing over' Western Ghats to Gujarat industrialists

03 Nov 2026 | 8:40 PM

Mumbai, Nov 3 (UNI) Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) National President Advocate Prakash Ambedkar today launched a direct attack on the Maharashtra government, alleging a concerted plan to hand over the state's natural water reserves and the ecologically sensitive Sahyadri mountain range to Gujarat-based corporate houses.

see more..