Naik, who was left crippled by a paralytic attack in prison, was acquitted in all 16 cases against him and released from Yerwada jail in May 2009. At the time, he had said he would no longer lead a life of crime. However, on Sunday, he was caught red-handed by the police as he collected R50 lakh from a Dadar builder he had earlier kidnapped and threatened.

The cops said they received a complaint from the builder last week, after he was allegedly kidnapped by Naik’s associates on December 9. The accused took the builder to an office in Subhash Nagar, Chembur and threatened to kill him unless he coughed up Rs 50 lakh. They even asked him to hand over 6,000 square feet of space in his new project, said cops.

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During investigations, the police learnt that the accused had similarly extorted Rs 25 lakh from the builder’s business partner a few days ago. After complaining to the police, the builder fixed a date and spot to meet the culprits to hand over the money. Meanwhile, Dadar police officials laid in wait to trap Naik.

Ashwin Naik. Pic Sameer Markande

Yesterday, the wheelchair-bound Naik and his men turned up at Bhavani Shankar Road in two Innovas. As soon as the builder handed Naik the Rs 50 lakh, the cops arrested the gangster. Naik’s associates, Promod Keluskar, Janardhan Sakpal, Prathmesh Parab and Rajesh Tambe were also arrested. Police have booked the accused under Sections 364 (A) (kidnapping for ransom), 384 (extortion), 387 (putting person in fear of death), 34 (common intention) and 120 B (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti said, “We are exploring his crime links. We will take stringent action against the gang members.”