Extortion case: 2 more sent to police custody

According to the FIR, the six accused in the extortion case, planned and intimidated PK Dave and Rakesh Baraiya — the two accused in the dummy candidate scam — by showing a video of a dummy candidate. The accused have allegedly “extorted the money conniving, conspiring, trapping in crimes amounting to life imprisonment and giving life threats to Dave and Baraiya, and others arrested in the dummy candidate case”, the FIR stated.

Shivubha, another brother-in-law of Jadeja, and one Raju — have also been booked under sections 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 388 (extortion by threat of accusation of an offence), and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Jadeja was arrested Friday following a complaint by S B Bharwad, police inspector of Bhavnagar SOG. According to the FIR lodged at Nilambaug police station, Bharwad, while questioning Prakash alias P K Dave — one of the accused in the dummy candidate case — learnt that Jadeja had information about people involved in the dummy candidate scam.

The FIR states that initially Jadeja allegedly demanded Rs 70 lakh from Dave to not expose him in the alleged dummy candidate scam. Later, Jadeja asked Dave to confirm three names — Rajan Dave, Rakesh Baraiya and Parth Pandya — and others who worked for them. Subsequently, the deal was struck at Rs 45 lakh.

On March 29, Dave allegedly arranged Rs 45 lakh and gave it to Ladhwa. On April 5, Jadeja allegedly assured Dave on a call with Ladhwa that his name would not be among the seven names disclosed by him in the press conference.

Later, Dave was informed that the video on Rishit was shot “forcibly” by Jadeja and that all the names would be disclosed at a press conference. According to the FIR, Jadeja also demanded money from another accused Pradeep Baraiya with whom a deal worth Rs 55 lakh was struck. Baraiya allegedly paid the amount by April 4.