Aspiring model, his female friend held for driving Mumbai-based CA to end his life after extorting Rs 2.47 crore since 2024 | Mumbai News
Mumbai: An aspiring model and his female associate were apprehended for allegedly compelling a 32-year-old chartered accountant to die by suicide after extorting Rs 2.47 crore from him since 2024. The accused reportedly spent the money on online gaming and share market activities.The deceased, who ended his life at his Santa Cruz (East) residence on Saturday night, had lodged three non-cognizable complaints against the pair in the days before his death. His family stated that while he overcame cancer and achieved his CA qualification, he couldn’t withstand real-life pressures, leaving behind his unwell mother.Vakola police arrested the accused, Rahul Parwani (26) and Saba Qureshi (22), on Tuesday from Lokhandwala, following a suicide note where the chartered accountant, Raj More, accused them of blackmail and extracting Rs 2.47 crore by compelling him to commit forgery using his company’s account after exhausting his savings. A Vakola police officer revealed they are investigating Parwani, who initially befriended More before the extortion. “Parwani stayed in a Lokhandwala lodge and, with Qureshi, pressured More for money. We’ve requested their bank records to trace the utilisation of funds extorted from More since 2024. Parwani admitted to investing in shares, online gaming, and daily expenses. He also obtained an SUV through a bank loan under More’s name, making the deceased pay the EMIs,” the officer explained.More experienced depression for a month before consuming poison after dining with his 62-year-old ailing mother and retiring upstairs on Saturday night. “My brother survived cancer four years ago whilst completing his CA. However, these two individuals repeatedly humiliated him locally, threatened him, and forced him into fraudulent activities. Recently, three non-cognizable complaints were registered against them after their late-night visits, threats, and assault on our elderly mother,” the deceased’s elder sister told TOI on Tuesday.The sister revealed that the pair publicly shamed her brother during night-time visits, questioning his sexuality and claiming possession of private videos. “They emailed his company about unpaid money. They purchased the SUV in his name, forcing EMI payments. The situation worsened when he took the vehicle from Parwani last month to return it to the bank, leading to increased mental torture. We demand justice and strict punishment, as their actions have left our unwell mother alone,” she stated.A police officer mentioned More’s three suicide notes describing his struggles, addressed to his mother, company management, and one detailing his depression from their harassment and extortion.Parwani, from Ajmer, relocated to Mumbai three years ago, residing in Lokhandwala and pursuing modelling after leaving an airline job. “Parwani connected with More via Instagram before Qureshi joined. Parwani extracted Rs2.44 crore since 2024, while Qureshi took Rs2.6 lakhs,” the officer stated. The pair will face Bandra Court on Wednesday.They face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment to suicide and extortion, potentially facing 10 years’ imprisonment and fines if convicted. MSID:: 122323623 413 |
