Two arrested for attempting to extort Rs 50 lakh from businessman in Surat

According to the police, the incident took place Saturday night when Thakur was on his way to his house from his firm when a bike-borne man waylaid him near Utsav residency.

The accused while pointing a gun at Thakur dialed a number from his mobile phone and handed the phone to him. The caller at the other end told Thakur that “he knew the location of his house and workplace, and demanded protection money of Rs 50 lakh,” said the police while quoting the complainant.

On Sunday afternoon, Thakur received another call on his mobile phone, and the caller told him to keep the money ready at his transport office and a man will come and collect it, according to the police.

“The caller threatened him that if he fails to fulfill their demand, he will shoot him and also kill his family members,” the complainant told the police.

Thakur approached the Dindoli Police, following which a probe was launched into the matter. The police on Sunday evening detained one of the minors based on suspicion.

During interrogation, the boy confessed to the police about his involvement and also named the other accused. Acting on the information disclosed by the minor, Dindoli Police arrested Aditya Gaud, Vaibhav Rajput and detained the 17-year-old boy.

Providing details of the case, Dindoli Police Inspector R J Chudasma said, “Aditya Gaud was the one who had intercepted Thakur’s bike while Vaibhav Rajput had threatened him on phone”.

“We have also recovered a toy gun from Gaud,” said Chudasma.

“One of the minor’s fathers, who runs a grocery shop in the area, was friends withThakur. The minor believed as Thakur owns over 10 trucks and has a transport business, he could be extorted for money. The two minors have been sent to the juvenile home while we have arrested Gaud and Rajput,” he said.

A case has been registered in connection with the matter under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 308 (4) (extortion), 126()2) (wrongfully restraint), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), 3(5) (multiple people act with common intention to commit a crime), said the police, adding that a probe is underway into the matter.