Extortion video call from Tihar: Pay Rs 50 lakh or else...
Sidharth Bhardwaj | TNN | Feb 15, 2019, 02:42 IST
The businessman said a day before the incident, he received a video call from gangster Rahul Kala in which he ... Read MoreNEW DELHI: Tihar Jail seems to have become a cosy cove for gangsters as they have been found carrying out extortions through video calls.
A Rohini-based businessman approached police for help after 15 criminals barged into his office to demand protection money of Rs 50 lakh. To his shock, they made him attend a video call with gangster Rahul Kala on WhatsApp. Kala, a close associate of gangster Neeraj Bawana, is currently lodged in jail. An FIR has been lodged and investigation is being carried out into the allegation.
In his statement, the businessman said the incident occurred on December 25, 2018. A day before this incident, he had received a video call from Kala in which he was threatened and Rs 50 lakh was demanded from him. Kala also sent a photo of him standing along with Bawana.
“At 4pm the next day, 15 men entered my office and started demanding the money. One of them then came forward and started a video call. The man in the call was the same one standing next to Bawana in the photo,” the businessman said. He was also made to attend to a voice call.
The complainant added, “The man at the other end constantly abused and threatened me. He warned that if I didn’t pay, they will kill me and my family. I was given a day’s time to arrange for the money. Before leaving, they told me they would come at the same time tomorrow to collect it.”
After the men left his office, the businessman submitted a complaint at the local police station. The next day, he waited in fear but nobody came. However, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number saying “Hi”. The businessman ignored it, but he received similar messages on January 2 and 7.
On January 26, the unknown person again sent a message, “Ha k chava ha bta (tell what do you want do now).” He contacted the cops again and a case of extortion and criminal intimidation was registered.
Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik has met the victim and assured him protection. A probe has revealed that international/VOIP numbers were used in making the video call, probably with the help of Wi-Fi. It is also being investigated how despite installing mobile jammers, the inmates have been able to make calls freely using internet from within the jail.
The authorities were left red-faced in September 2018 when an inmate lodged in the Mandoli jail complex in east Delhi made a phone call to his brother telling him that he was attacked by his fellow inmates and asked him to contact the local police and save him.
A Rohini-based businessman approached police for help after 15 criminals barged into his office to demand protection money of Rs 50 lakh. To his shock, they made him attend a video call with gangster Rahul Kala on WhatsApp. Kala, a close associate of gangster Neeraj Bawana, is currently lodged in jail. An FIR has been lodged and investigation is being carried out into the allegation.
In his statement, the businessman said the incident occurred on December 25, 2018. A day before this incident, he had received a video call from Kala in which he was threatened and Rs 50 lakh was demanded from him. Kala also sent a photo of him standing along with Bawana.
“At 4pm the next day, 15 men entered my office and started demanding the money. One of them then came forward and started a video call. The man in the call was the same one standing next to Bawana in the photo,” the businessman said. He was also made to attend to a voice call.
The complainant added, “The man at the other end constantly abused and threatened me. He warned that if I didn’t pay, they will kill me and my family. I was given a day’s time to arrange for the money. Before leaving, they told me they would come at the same time tomorrow to collect it.”
After the men left his office, the businessman submitted a complaint at the local police station. The next day, he waited in fear but nobody came. However, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number saying “Hi”. The businessman ignored it, but he received similar messages on January 2 and 7.
On January 26, the unknown person again sent a message, “Ha k chava ha bta (tell what do you want do now).” He contacted the cops again and a case of extortion and criminal intimidation was registered.
Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik has met the victim and assured him protection. A probe has revealed that international/VOIP numbers were used in making the video call, probably with the help of Wi-Fi. It is also being investigated how despite installing mobile jammers, the inmates have been able to make calls freely using internet from within the jail.
The authorities were left red-faced in September 2018 when an inmate lodged in the Mandoli jail complex in east Delhi made a phone call to his brother telling him that he was attacked by his fellow inmates and asked him to contact the local police and save him.
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