Pune: Extortion and Threats Follow Suicide at Drug Rehab Centre; Six Accused, Including Activist Booked

Pune:

A young man undergoing treatment for drug addiction at a rehabilitation centre has committed suicide, sparking an extortion and defamation plot against the owner of this centre. Following this, activist Sachin Bhise from the Chhava Organisation, along with others, allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 70 lakh from the rehab centre’s owner, ultimately extorting Rs 3 lakh by threatening to tarnish the centre’s reputation through protests and legal action.

In this regard, Dr. Nitin Virsingh Dalaya, aged 59, a resident of Baner who runs the Nityananda De-addiction Centre, filed a formal complaint at the Vishrambaug police station. Based on this, the police have charged six individuals, including Bhise (a resident of Wakad), Rina Adagale (a resident of Tadiwala Road), and four others. This incident occurred between September 28 and October 5 at the Saffron Hotel on Shastri Road and other locations.

According to the police, the case stemmed from the suicide of a patient named Anup Lokhande, who was admitted to the Nityananda De-addiction Centre and committed suicide on August 6, 2024.

Following this tragic incident, Bhise and others allegedly demanded Rs 70 lakh from the centre’s owner, threatening to defame the institution by organising protests outside the rehab facility. They claimed they would mobilise 2,000 individuals from multiple districts, including Pune, Nashik, Nagar, Beed, Latur, and Igatpuri, under the banner of the Chhava Organisation to protest outside the centre.

Under the threat of defamation and closure of his rehabilitation centre, Dr. Dalaya was coerced into paying Rs 3 lakh to Bhise. The complaint also notes that the accused continued to demand additional money through phone calls for various reasons. The Vishrambaug police have registered the case, and Assistant Police Inspector Pawar is leading the investigation.