Latest news with #GoaPolice
Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Puja Banerjee, husband face FIR by Goa Police for abducting, extorting money from Bengali filmmaker
Goa: TV actor couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma have found themselves in the legal hotseat after the Goa Police filed a FIR against the couple for allegedly abducting and extorting money from Bengali filmmaker Shyam Sunder Dey, officials said on Saturday. An FIR was first filed at Panache police station in Kolkata on June 12 based on a complaint by Dey's wife, Malabika, against the actor couple. However, since the alleged incident took place in North Goa, the case was later transferred to the Calangute Police, a police official told PTI. As per the FIR, the accused seized the victim's two mobile phones, forcibly extracted his personal data and passwords, and threatened to misuse them. A police official said Dey had been asked to appear before Goa Police for recording his statement. "We have asked him to appear before the investigating officer as soon as possible," the official said. Goa Police booked the actor couple, Piyush Kothari, and others on the charges of kidnapping, assault, and extortion. Dey's wife stated in the FIR that her husband shared a familial relationship with Banerjee and Verma, who offered to fund his business project. Dey has 50 films to his credit. "He is frequently approached by investors and lenders for his film projects, and in that capacity developed a close, almost a family relationship with Kunal and Puja, who had offered him to fund for his business project," the complaint reads. She claimed that her husband was working on a script writing assignment and driving a rented car with his assistant in Goa on May 31 when he was abducted. "On May 31, a black-coloured vehicle intercepted Shyam Sunder's car and he was abducted by goons, Puja Banerjee and Kothari. He was forcefully taken to an unknown location, where he was assaulted and tortured by Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and the hired goons," Malabika alleged. The accused threatened the filmmaker with false implication in a narcotics case if he failed to pay ₹ 64 lakh. "During this illegal confinement, the accused seized his two mobile phones, forcibly extracted his personal data and passwords, and threatened to misuse them," the FIR stated. The victim was taken to a hotel where he was staying and then moved to an unknown villa on June 1. Malabika alleged that her husband managed to arrange and pay approximately ₹ 23 lakh to the accused between May 31 and June 3 under immense mental pressure. She wrote an email on June 3 to concerned senior police officers in Goa who managed to rescue her husband on June 4.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Goa Police books actors Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma for extortion, abduction
Goa Police have registered an FIR against TV actor couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma for allegedly abducting and extorting money from Bengali filmmaker Shyam Sunder Dey, officials said on Saturday. An FIR was initially registered at Panache police station in Kolkata on June 12 against the actor couple on the complaint of Dey's wife Malabika. The case was transferred to Calangute Police in North Goa as the purported incident had occurred in their jurisdiction, an official said. Goa Police booked the actor couple, Piyush Kothari, and others on the charges of kidnapping, assault, and extortion. The official said Dey had been asked to appear before Goa Police for recording his statement. "We have asked him to appear before the investigating officer as soon as possible," the official said. Dey's wife stated in the FIR that her husband shared a familial relationship with Banerjee and Verma, who offered to fund his business project. Dey has 50 films to his credit. "He is frequently approached by investors and lenders for his film projects, and in that capacity developed a close, almost a family relationship with Kunal and Puja, who had offered him to fund for his business project," the complaint reads. She claimed that her husband was working on a script writing assignment and driving a rented car with his assistant in Goa on May 31 when he was abducted. "On May 31, a black-coloured vehicle intercepted Shyam Sunder's car and he was abducted by goons, Puja Banerjee and Kothari. He was forcefully taken to an unknown location, where he was assaulted and tortured by Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and the hired goons," Malabika alleged. The accused threatened the filmmaker with false implication in a narcotics case if he failed to pay Rs 64 lakh. "During this illegal confinement, the accused seized his two mobile phones, forcibly extracted his personal data and passwords, and threatened to misuse them," the FIR stated. The victim was taken to a hotel where he was staying and then moved to an unknown villa on June 1. Malabika alleged that her husband managed to arrange and pay approximately Rs 23 lakh to the accused between May 31 and June 3 under immense mental pressure. She wrote an email on June 3 to concerned senior police officers in Goa who managed to rescue her husband on June 4.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Puja Banerjee breaks silence on FIR for kidnapping, extortion charges: ‘Going through the toughest time in our lives'
Jun 27, 2025 08:17 PM IST Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma said that they were the target of a financial fraud earlier this month. A few days later, they were accused of kidnapping Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey, along with charges of physical assault and extortion of money. An FIR was filed against the duo by Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey. On Friday, Puja broke her silence on the controversy and said that they are going through the 'toughest time' of their lives. (Also read: FIR filed against Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma for allegedly kidnapping and extorting money from Bengali film producer) Puja Banerjee has reacted after she and Kunal Verma received accusations from Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey. Puja took to her Instagram account and wrote, 'Going through the toughest time of our lives, those who are standing by us we will be forever grateful to you all. And those who believe in the lies spread against us god bless them too. I believe in God and u know GOD IS WATCHING.' In the caption, she wrote, 'God is great.' About the allegations Malabika shared a detailed note on her Facebook account, including claims of physical and mental assault on Shyam. "This incident is not just a serious crime, it is a betrayal and a breach of trust towards a friend. In addition to physical and mental abuse on Shyam, our entire family is suffering deep mental damage from this incident. We are tackling the legal way and have full confidence in the judicial system. I urge all creative society members to be alert," she mentioned. She said that Shyam was threatened with his involvement in a drug case if he didn't pay around ₹ 64 lakh. She added that with the help of the Goa Police, Shyam was rescued safely. An FIR was filed against Puja and Kunal under Section 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2) & 3(5).
India.com
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress, who ran away from home at 15, married twice, got pregnant before marriage, is now..., her name is..., faced FIR after...
In the ever-evolving world of Indian television, where countless faces come and go, one particular actress carved a permanent space for herself by portraying a character that became a household name. Her journey from relative obscurity to massive stardom began with a single role that struck an emotional chord with viewers across the country. With a blend of grace, conviction, and authenticity, she brought depth to a character that mirrored everyday struggles and silent resilience. Popular TV Actress… Here we are talking about Puja Banerjee, who plays the role of 'Mata Parvati' in the serial 'Devon Ke Dev Mahadev', Puja Banerjee has been facing significant personal challenges in recent days. She and her husband, Kunal Verma, claimed on their YouTube channel that they had been cheated and had lost their life savings. The couple stated that the individual who deceived them was a close friend they had known for three years. Currently, Puja is facing another issue as an arrest warrant hangs over her. A filmmaker has accused the couple of kidnapping, assault, and extortion, leading to a complaint being filed with the Goa Police. Bengali filmmaker Sundar Shyam Dey alleges that Puja and Kunal kidnapped him in Goa and held him hostage in a villa, during which they extorted a substantial amount of money from him. His wife, Malbika, has also complained about the couple with the Goa Police. Fans are shocked by these serious allegations against Puja and Kunal. Shyam Sundar Dey claims he was on holiday in Goa when his car was surrounded by a black Jaguar. He considered Puja Banerjee as a sister, and when he emerged from the car, he was reportedly abducted. Dey asserts that the entire incident may have been recorded on CCTV. Puja Banerjee's Personal Life And Failed Marriage With… Puja Banerjee has had a tumultuous personal life. She has been married twice and ran away from home at the age of 15, becoming pregnant before marriage. In 2004, she took seven vows with her then-partner, Arunoy Chakraborty. However, their marriage lasted only nine years and ended in mutual consent in 2013. After the end of her first marriage, Puja focused on her career and earned a name for herself in the television industry. She portrayed Parvati in 'Devon Ke Dev Mahadev' with such dedication that the show propelled her to stardom. Subsequently, she met TV actor Kunal Verma and after dating for several years, they decided to marry in Goa in 2021. Notably, Puja became a mother in 2020, before their marriage.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Indian Express
Wanted for 13 cases and on run for 2 yrs, ‘mastermind' of Goa land-grab scam arrested
The Goa Police on Friday arrested Mohammal Suhail, alleged to be the mastermind in a multi-crore land-grabbing scam in the coastal state. Police said in a statement that Mohammad Suhail (48), alias Michael, who had been absconding, was arrested at around 4.30 pm near a petrol pump in South Goa's Quepem by a Crime Branch team. Suhail, a resident of Pilar in Goa, is originally from Karnataka. Police said he is a 'habitual offender' and was previously arrested for his alleged involvement in at least 13 cases related to land-grabbing. 'He was absconding for the past two years,' an officer said. The Goa government formed an SIT on June 15, 2022, to investigate cases of illegal land transfer and land-grabbing. The SIT probed 44 FIRs involving more than 100 properties — nearly 1.5 lakh sqm of land — and made 56 arrests, including some officials from the Archives Department. The state government had appointed a commission of inquiry, headed by former Bombay HC judge Justice V K Jadhav (retd), on September 9, 2022, to probe the land-grabbing cases. The commission in its report detailed how government records had been tampered with in a 'systematic and organised' manner, and forged sale deeds with Portuguese-era calligraphy were inserted into the records, allegedly 'in connivance with the staff of the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology'. In several cases, the accused hatched a conspiracy and forged land records and documents in their own names or of their associates, often in collusion with officials in the state's archives department, and fraudulently executed sale deeds to third parties after illegally acquiring properties.
