Five charged with extortion, unlawful assembly at Varca

Colva: Police have registered a case against five individuals, including a vice president of the Tourist Taxi Association at Varca, for allegedly forming an unlawful assembly, wrongfully restraining others, breaching the peace, and extorting money from fellow tourist taxi drivers.
According to a complaint filed by PSI Prashant Bhagat, the incident occurred when a group comprising Oliveiro Fernandes, Brito Fernandes, Remy Rodrigues, Sanjay, and Seby—identified as the vice president of the local taxi association—allegedly obstructed tourist taxi drivers who had arrived at a resort in Varca to pick up guests for an airport drop.
The accused allegedly insisted on using specific taxis and unlawfully restrained the oncoming drivers. It is also alleged that they extorted Rs 5,000 to release one vehicle, opposing alternate taxis booked by resort guests.
Police have initiated legal proceedings, and further investigation is under way.