The producers of the most controversial show Bigg Boss are in a dilemma. First it was the sulking TRP's and now the producers of the show are facing extortion threats from the underworld.
Highly placed sources from Mumbai Police reveal that the producers of the show Endemol!INDIA have received extortion calls amounting to 10 Crore from a small time gangster Suresh Poojari a former partner in crime of Gangster Ravi Pujari.
As per the First Information Report registered at the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg Police Station in Sewri Mumbai, the first call was made on December 8, to one Mr Anand Chavan of Endemol India who short lists and coordinates contestants for the reality show.
As per the caller who allegedly identified himself as Gangster Suresh Poojari wants Endemol India and Bigg Boss broadcast Channel 'Colors' to cough 10 Crore as extortion fees or face dire consequences (firing or threat to life).
"The caller feels that if the broadcasters and the producers can pay the star anchor Salman Khan 100 odd Crores as reported in media as remuneration they can easily let go the said amount and safe their lives," added the source.
Chavan assumed that someone was apparently making prank calls initially and ignored it but succumbed once the caller started issuing death threats from Internet Protocol calling services , it is learnt that the gangster further began desperate negotiations and settled for a sum of 1 Crore.
Though Chavan as per the Police source tried to convince the caller that he was merely an employee who looked into casting and cordination on behalf of the producers, the alleged gangster persisted that he coughed off the extortion money or get killed.
The calls as per the source began turning abusive as the complainant was made to believe that he was being shadowed and every move was being monitored by the gang members.
This perturbed Chavan who allegedly submitted an official complaint letter from the production house to the office of Joint Commissioner of Crime Mumbai demanding a probe and police protection.
Chavan was further initiated to register an FIR at the local police station which he did on December 14, 2015 under section 383, 386 &387, 504 IPC and has also been provided Police protection.
It is learnt Chavan received a dozen of threatening calls which were tapped and monitored by the Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) who reached to a conclusion that the caller was Suresh Poojari who after separating from underworld don Ravi Pujari has been making desperate attempts to get his hold on the Mumbai underworld.
Suresh recently was in news when the AEC in the month of October arrested eight members of his gang for threatening a businessman from eastern suburb and demanding 5 Crore as extortion bid.
Repeated calls to Anand Chavan went unanswered while the Mumbai Police is also tight lipped about the incident.
