According to the police, Neeraj Walia of Walia Industries had been contacted by two men, Anil Sakharam Nikam (24) and Ravindra Vishnu Nikam (28) demanding Rs 10 lakh. The alleged extortionists claimed to be members of Arun Gawli's gang.

The two called up Walia's residence on Wednesday evening demanding the money. When Walia expressed his inability to pay, Nikam negotiated a lesser sum of Rs 5 lakh. The two called up Walia again on Thursday morning repeating their demand and threatened him that if he did not pay they would kill him.

Walia got in touch with DCP (crime) Surinder Kumar who forwarded the case to Police Inspector (PI) (Crime branch) Surendra Bapu Patil. Police inspector Patil immediately asked Walia to meet the alleged extortionists at the Annasaheb Magar Stadium in Pimpri. Assistant police inspector Chandrakant Ghodge along with some constables were waiting with a suitcase of notes when the two showed up.

As they approached Walia for the money, the police caught hold of them and arrested them. Questioning has revealed that Anil Nikam was a helper at Kirloskar Cummins factory and Ravindra Nikam a labour contractor. Both had got together to hatch this plot and make an easy buck. The crime branch is investigating.