Extortion bid: Terrorist Dalla’s voice sample matches with caller

Ludhiana: Already wanted in a murder case, Canada-based gangster Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla who was recently declared a terrorist by the ministry of home affairs has now been booked by Ludhiana rural police for an extortion bid from a businessman of Jagraon.
Meanwhile, Ludhiana rural police have started the process to attach the property belonging to the family of Dalla.
In the second week of January, a Jagraon-based furniture trader had received a call from a person, claiming to be Dalla, while demanding extortion from him. During the probe, police had received the voice recording of the call from the trader and provided him security.
An officer who is among the investigators told TOI that they had got an old voice sample of Dalla which matched with the new voice sample (provided by the trader). He said even Arsh’s father, who was brought on a production warrant by Jagraon police in connection with a murder case, had confirmed the voice of Arsh.
The officer said based on the “findings” during the probe, they have registered a case against Arsh Dalla under Section 387 of the IPC (Putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion) and under the IT Act.
Police said less than a fortnight ago, the trader had got a call from a WhatsApp number starting with +63 (ISD code of Philippines) where the caller told him to give Rs 30 lakh and threatened him of dire consequences if he doesn’t do so. They said the trader had reportedly received a threat from a “gangster” in the past as well, but after some time he stopped getting such threatening calls.
Meanwhile, Ludhiana rural police confirmed that they have started process to attach the property of Dalla’s family. SSP Ludhiana rural Harjeet Singh said since they have invoked Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on Arsh Dalla in the murder case of Paramjit Singh of Badarke village, they have started proceedings for attachment of the property related to him. He said father of Arsh is also an accused in the case.
Police officials said as of now, police have got information about Arsh’s home in Moga district which they will attach. They said they will probe, whether the accused has property in his name or not.
Cops said the alleged extortion call by Arsh Dalla will be used as an additional proof in the murder case against him at Jagraon.