The Karapur-Sarvan agitation in Goa has taken a dramatic turn after Mumbai Police arrested two persons named in an extortion case linked to the ‘One Goa’ project at Karapur. Siddhesh Jana Tari and Pritesh Salgaonkar have been named in the First Information Report (FIR), which alleges that crores of rupees were demanded by threatening to disrupt project work. Police have registered the case at Mumbai’s N M Joshi Marg Police Station and launched an investigation.
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What led to the arrests?
According to the FIR registered on August 27, the complaint was filed by Bhushan Ramesh Patil, 39, who is associated with the company undertaking the ‘One Goa’ housing projects in Goa.
The FIR states that the company has been carrying out housing projects under the ‘One Goa’ name in Bicholim taluka since March 2024.
The complaint alleges that in late April 2026, Siddhesh Jana Tari and Pritesh Salgaonkar, along with three others, visited the company’s project site at Karapur. They allegedly accused the company of treating residents unfairly and threatened to stop the project work.
According to the complaint, the accused subsequently demanded ₹3 crore each from the company.
₹41 lakh allegedly paid
The FIR further alleges that company officials held discussions with the individuals in an attempt to resolve the matter.
According to the complaint, ₹2 lakh each was allegedly paid to Tari and Salgaonkar on May 1, 2026. The complainant further alleged that additional payments were made subsequently.
The FIR claims that a total of ₹34 lakh was allegedly paid to Siddhesh Tari, while ₹7 lakh was allegedly paid to Pritesh Salgaonkar.
The complaint alleges that the total extortion demand made between April 2026 and the time of filing the complaint amounted to ₹6 crore.
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Fresh ₹10 lakh demand alleged
The FIR also refers to an alleged threatening WhatsApp call received by the complainant on August 12, while he was at the company’s Mumbai office.
According to the complaint, the caller allegedly demanded another ₹10 lakh, stating that the payment was required to ensure that work on the ‘One Goa’ project faced no obstruction.
Police launch investigation
Following the complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case under Sections 308(2), 308(5), 3(5), 61(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The investigation has been handed over to Police Sub-Inspector Sachin Babanrao Khot.
While both named accused have been taken into custody, the allegations contained in the FIR are claims made by the complainant and remain subject to police investigation and judicial proceedings.
The arrests add a significant new dimension to the ongoing Karapur-Sarvan agitation, where the proposed development project has been a subject of protest.
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