History-sheeter arrested for charging ₹100 per hour at BMC’s free parking lot.

Mumbai. A case has come to light involving the alleged extortion of money in exchange for parking vehicles at a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) free parking facility in the Fort area of ​​South Mumbai. The police have arrested 25-year-old Manoj Gauda on charges of forcibly demanding money from motorists at the parking lot located on Veer Nariman Road. Four motorists informed the police that the accused was demanding ₹100 per hour from them, despite the parking being free. According to the police, the accused has a prior record of theft cases.

According to reports, the BMC provides a free parking facility for motorists on Veer Nariman Road in the Fort area. It is alleged that Manoj Gauda was demanding fees from motorists arriving at this parking site. Although the motorists were aware that the parking was free, the accused was allegedly pressuring them to pay ₹100 per hour.

The matter came to light when motorists lodged a complaint with the police. Four motorists reported that a young man at the parking site was demanding money in exchange for parking their vehicles. The complaint stated that money was being collected at a rate of ₹100 per hour. Suspicious about being asked to pay for what was supposed to be free parking, the individuals informed the police about the entire situation.

Upon receiving the complaint, the police initiated an investigation and identified the accused as Manoj Gauda. He is reported to be a resident of the Sundarnagari area in Colaba. Acting on the preliminary investigation and information provided by the complainants, the police arrested him. The police are now trying to determine how long the accused had been extorting money from people at this parking site and how many motorists he had charged.

The investigation is also looking into whether the accused was carrying out this alleged extortion alone or if others were involved. The police may examine footage from CCTV cameras installed near the parking site and other potential evidence. This will help determine how long the accused had been active at the parking site and identify the individuals from whom he collected money.

According to the police, Manoj Gowda has a prior criminal record; he was named as an accused in four theft cases registered in 2023. Following the revelation of these past cases, the police are scrutinizing his criminal history and checking whether any other cases have been registered against him at other police stations.

Fort is one of South Mumbai’s busiest areas, attracting a large number of people daily to offices, markets, government institutions, and commercial establishments. Due to the high volume of private vehicles, the demand for parking is significant, making free parking spaces a valuable amenity for motorists.

It is alleged that the accused exploited this situation by attempting to pass off a free parking area as a paid one. Motorists became suspicious when he demanded a fee of ₹100 per hour. Upon making inquiries, they discovered that the site was actually part of the BMC’s free parking system, leading to the matter being reported to the police.

The police are also investigating whether the accused issued any slips or receipts when collecting money from motorists; any use of fake receipts or documents will be examined. Furthermore, they are determining whether he posed as a parking attendant or simply extorted money in exchange for allowing vehicles to be parked.

This alleged extortion at a free public parking site has raised questions regarding the existing monitoring systems. The metropolis has various designated authorized parking zones as well as free parking areas. It is crucial for motorists to know whether an official fee applies to the spot where they are parking or if the facility is entirely free of charge.

If a fee is charged at an authorized parking site, motorists are advised to verify the prescribed rates and insist on a receipt. If anyone demands money without authorization at a free parking facility, the matter can be reported to the police or the relevant local authority.

Complaints from four motorists proved crucial in this case. Acting on these complaints, the police identified and apprehended the accused. The police may now gather information regarding other potential victims; should more motorists come forward, their statements could also be incorporated into the investigation.

Parking has long been a major urban challenge in Mumbai. Due to limited parking availability in busy commercial areas, motorists often fall prey to unauthorized parking operators. Consequently, it is considered important to disseminate clear information to the public regarding authorized and free parking zones.

For now, the police have arrested 25-year-old Manoj Gowda and are proceeding with the investigation. His past criminal record is also being scrutinized. The investigation will seek to determine how long the alleged extortion at the BMC’s free parking facility had been going on, how many people were charged money, and whether anyone else was involved.