PUNE, Sept. 3 -- Amid a spate of routine inspections of hotels, restaurants and other food businesses across Maharashtra by authorities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the fear of raids among hotel and restaurant owners in Kolhapur presented an opportunity for two men, who allegedly posed as FDA officials and threatened these establishments with action to extort money. The Kolhapur police have arrested Mahadev Namdev Lohar, 35, a resident of Shahuwadi, in connection with the alleged extortion attempt while his associate, Prashant Sarjerao Yadav, is absconding. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Lohar and Yadav obtained mobile numbers displayed outside hotels and restaurants in Kolhapur district and contacted the owners of more than 50 to 60 such establishments, claiming to be FDA officials. They then threatened them with action over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms. The racket unravelled when Dhanaji Maruti Patil, owner of Viraj Nashta Centre in Sule, contacted the Local Crime Branch (LCB) after Lohar demanded Rs.10,000 to overlook alleged infractions. Lohar also attempted to sell a spurious five-year licence, claiming it rendered businesses immune to inspections. "Initially, I was under stress," Patil said. "However, after investigating, I realised no such five-year licence existed. That is when I approached the police." LCB officers instructed Patil to agree to the demand and set a trap at a Laxmipuri bicycle shop. Plain-clothes officers apprehended Lohar as he accepted the bribe. Police recovered the extorted cash, a mobile phone, and a stolen motorcycle, with seized items valued at Rs.62,000. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Neelotpal stated, "The accused exploited the fear created by the FDA's enforcement drive, convincing owners they faced penalties unless they paid."...