Who is Ravi Pujari? Gangster remanded in 2017 Thane extortion case

Thane: Police in Thane have taken gangster Ravi Pujari into custody in connection with a 2017 extortion and firing case, officials said.

The 57-year-old, who is currently in jail, was produced before a special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Wednesday and remanded to police custody until 27 March.

Who is Ravi Pujari?

Ravi Pujari is a 57-year-old Indian gangster and former associate of Chhota Rajan who became prominent in the Mumbai underworld during the 1990s. Originally from Udupi, he started his criminal activities in Andheri before fleeing India in the mid-1990s.

Operating from abroad for over two decades, Pujari cultivated an image as a “patriotic don” while running an international extortion network. Using VOIP calls, he targeted Bollywood celebrities, real estate developers, and politicians. During this period, he lived under aliases such as Antony Fernandes in countries including Senegal and South Africa.

After roughly 25 years evading authorities, he was arrested in Senegal in 2019 and extradited to India in 2020. He is currently facing trial in multiple cases—reportedly over 200—including charges of murder and extortion.

According to a police release, the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Thane Crime Branch secured his custody from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru and brought him to the city on Tuesday.

Police allege that in 2017, he demanded ₹10 crore from a construction businessman in Thane and threatened to kill him if the money was not paid. When the demand was not met, his associates allegedly opened fire at the businessman’s office.

A case was registered at Kasarvadavali police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including extortion and criminal intimidation. The stringent MCOCA provisions were later invoked.

Officials said Pujari has around 44 serious criminal cases registered against him.

(PTI)