A major extortion case involving the Marathi entertainment industry has taken a dramatic turn after the Mumbai Police Anti-Extortion Squad arrested two women for allegedly demanding a ransom of ₹10 crore from a Goregaon-based builder.
One of the accused is Hemlata Patkar, also known as Hemlata Aditya Patkar or Hemlata Bane, aged 39 and a resident of Kandivali. The second accused has been identified as Amarina Iqbal Zaveri, also known as Alice or Amarina Mathew Fernandes, aged 33, who resides in Santacruz.
According to investigators, the two women were caught red-handed while accepting ₹1.5 crore, believed to be the first instalment of the alleged extortion amount.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Following their arrest, both accused were produced before the Esplanade Court, which remanded them to police custody until Monday. The Crime Branch sought extended custody, citing lack of cooperation from the accused and the need to recover critical evidence.
Police informed the court that:
- Hemlata Patkar’s handwriting samples are pending
- Amarina Zaveri’s voice samples are yet to be collected
Investigators stressed that these materials are crucial to establishing the chain of evidence.
Links to Marathi Television Industry
Public interest intensified after it emerged that Hemlata Patkar has ties to the Marathi entertainment industry. She is also the daughter-in-law of veteran Marathi actress Archana Patkar, well-known for her role as Kanchan Deshmukh in the popular television serial Aai Kuthe Kay Karte.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the Marathi film and television community, with many expressing disbelief over the allegations.
Previous Criminal Case and Wider Probe
Police also told the court that an earlier criminal case under Sections 452, 323 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against Hemlata Patkar at Meghwadi police station.
Investigators are now probing:
- Whether the accused were involved in similar extortion attempts in the past
- If there are other victims
- Whether additional accomplices are currently absconding
More arrests have not been ruled out.
Builder’s Complaint and Trap Operation
The complainant, Arvind Goyal, a 52-year-old builder from Goregaon West, alleged that the accused demanded ₹10 crore to “settle” a criminal case registered against his son at Amboli police station.
Disturbed by the threats and demands, Goyal approached the Crime Branch, which then laid a trap operation that led to the arrest of the two women while the money exchange was taking place.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are now focused on uncovering the full scope of the alleged extortion racket and determining whether it extends beyond this single case. Officials confirmed that the investigation remains active and additional developments are expected.
