Strict Action Against Anjar’s Lady Don: Police Arrest Ria Goswami and Siblings for Extortion and Harassment
After multiple police complaints of physical and mental harassment, even driving victims to suicide, against Lady Don Ria Goswami and her siblings Aarti and Tejas Goswami for illegal money lending in the Anjar area, the Kutch police finally took strict action. The trio was arrested under the GUJCTOC Act, a law applied to severe criminals, and they have been put behind bars. This marks the first case under this law in the district since 2015, and it is likely the first instance of applying it to illegal money lenders.
GUJCTOC Applied to Loan Sharks for the First Time
In the history of Kutch, this is the first time that three siblings, from the same family, have been arrested together under GUJCTOC. It’s also the first time that the law has been applied to women and loan shark mafias. The arrested loan sharks include Ria Goswami, her sister Aarti, and her brother Tejas, who reside in Mankleshwar, Anjar. Since 2020, Ria has had eight complaints filed against her, including illegal money lending, extortion, and assault, with two cases involving pushing victims to suicide. Her siblings Aarti and Tejas also have four complaints each for similar offenses.
Fear Amongst Criminals
On July 31, 2024, Mumtazben Luhar from Anjar filed a complaint against the Goswami siblings for illegal money lending and extortion. Ria had previously been detained under the PASA (Prevention of Anti-Social Activities) Act as well. Despite recurring arrests, the trio continued their criminal activities, eventually leading the police to treat them as an organized crime syndicate under GUJCTOC. This move has spread fear among other notorious loan sharks.
Police Chief Sagar Bagmar’s Appeal
Regarding the arrest of Anjar’s infamous Lady Don Ria Goswami and her siblings under GUJCTOC, Police Chief Sagar Bagmar stated that the trio had several cases of harassment through illegal money lending filed against them at the Anjar police station. The group, led by Ria, includes her sister Aarti and brother Tejas, and they face multiple charges, including assault, mental harassment, incitement to suicide, and illegal money lending. Bagmar appealed to the public, urging anyone troubled by the accused to report it to the police, either openly or anonymously.
Siblings Arrested Together
Under the guidance of Anjar’s Deputy Police Superintendent Mukesh Chaudhary, PI A. R. Gohil initiated legal action against Ria, Aarti, and Tejas Goswami, members of an organized crime syndicate involved in illegal money lending. The case was filed under The Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Act (GUJCTOC) of 2015. The trio’s criminal activities, which included collaboration and forming a syndicate, are being treated as punishable under the GUJCTOC Act.
Criminal History of the Accused
At the Anjar police station, cases have been filed against notorious criminals Ria, Aarti, and Tejas Goswami under sections 5, 40, and 42 of the Gujarat Money Lending Act, 2011. All three have repeatedly committed crimes such as harassment leading to suicide, physical assault, rioting, and extortion. The trio has a long history of illegal activities in the city.
The Trio Arrested
The police have taken legal action under the strict GUJCTOC law due to the trio’s continuous involvement in loan sharking for financial gain, working together as a syndicate with the same criminal intent. All three accused have been arrested, creating an atmosphere of fear among other antisocial elements in the area.
