Pune: In a disturbing revelation, teachers have been extorted for Rs 25,000 monthly over the past year to ensure their files for government grants are processed by the education department.

The demand involved an initial payment of Rs 5,000 and a continuous monthly deduction of 10% from their salaries until retirement.

A 35-year-old teacher has filed a complaint at the Bharati Vidyapeeth police station. Based on this, the police have registered a case against the Late Ambarchandji Munot Shikshan Sanstha on Katraj Kondhwa Road, Ashoklal Ambarchand Munot, Nikhil Ashoklal Munot, Ulka Shashikant Navgire, Surekha Mahadev Sutar, and Harshada Ashoklal Munot.

This extortion scheme has been ongoing since March 8, 2023. Previously this year, Ashoklal Munot, Nikhil Munot, and Surekha Sutar were also charged under the Atrocity Act.

According to the police, the complainant and other teaching and non-teaching staff were called by the accused, who demanded Rs 5,000 each to forward the government grant file to the education department.

They were also told they would have to pay 10% of their monthly salary to the institution until retirement. The complainant and their colleagues paid Rs 5,000 each in cash and online, amounting to Rs 25,000 monthly.

The accused continued to demand 10% of their salaries each month, and when the teachers refused, they were threatened with dismissal and subjected to financial, mental, and physical harassment.

The police have registered a case, and Assistant Police Inspector Shende is investigating.