Mumbai, Aug 30: Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against Siddhesh Jana Tari, Pritesh Salgaonkar and three other persons in connection with an alleged ₹6-crore extortion demand linked to the “One Goa” project at Karapur in Bicholim, Goa.

The FIR, bearing No. 0360/2026, was registered at N.M. Joshi Marg Police Station, Mumbai, on August 27, following a complaint lodged by 39-year-old Bhushan Ramesh Patil.

According to the FIR, Patil stated that the company he works with has been carrying out construction-related work for the “One Goa” project at Karapur since March 2024 after obtaining the required permissions.

Alleged threats over project work

The complainant alleged that towards the end of April 2026, Siddhesh Jana Tari and Pritesh Salgaonkar visited the project site and questioned how the company could carry out work without their permission.

The FIR alleges that they threatened to prevent the project from proceeding and warned the company representatives of consequences if their demands were not met.

According to the complaint, discussions were subsequently held in an attempt to settle the dispute. The FIR states that payments were allegedly made in instalments beginning on May 1, 2026.

Patil alleged that the demands later increased, with the accused purportedly claiming that money had to be distributed among several persons associated with protests against the project.

₹41 lakh allegedly paid

The complainant has alleged that Siddhesh Jana Tari received around ₹34 lakh, while Pritesh Salgaonkar received around ₹7 lakh, taking the total alleged payments to ₹41 lakh.

The FIR further alleges that the accused eventually demanded ₹3 crore each, amounting to ₹6 crore, while threatening the complainant and others with serious consequences and allegedly threatening their lives if the money was not paid.

The complainant also referred to an alleged telephone conversation on August 12, during which further money was demanded and threats were allegedly issued to stop work at the One Goa project. He has claimed that an audio recording of the conversation is available and can be submitted to investigators.

Case under BNS provisions

Mumbai Police have registered the case under Sections 308(2), 308(5), 3(5), 61(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, covering alleged offences including extortion, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation.

The investigation has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector Sachin Babanrao Khot of N.M. Joshi Marg Police Station.

The allegations contained in the FIR are yet to be tested during investigation and judicial proceedings, and the accused are entitled to their defence.

Karapur protesters are planning to hold a mass gathering on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to mark the completion of 150 days of their ongoing protest.

Against this backdrop, protesters have raised serious concerns over what they describe as attempts to weaken or derail their agitation. They point to the defamation case filed against activist Swapnesh Sherlekar, who has been spearheading the protest, as well as the recent extortion case registered in Mumbai and the subsequent arrest by Mumbai Police. These developments, they say, have created apprehension among local residents that legal action is being used to put pressure on the movement.

The locals have firmly rejected the allegations, describing them as an attempt to malign and discredit the protest. They maintain that the agitation is genuine and have reiterated that they will not bow to pressure or intimidation. The protesters have resolved to continue their movement with greater determination until their demands are addressed.