Punjab Police ASI, head constable pose as senior officers; kidnap three from Noida, demand Rs 10 cr; booked

Khanna Police said that two accused Punjab Police cops – Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Kuldeep Singh and head constable Balwinder Singh- introduced themselves as Superintendent of Police (SP) and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) during the “raid”. Their another accomplice Gagandeep Singh alias Apple introduced himself as “Deputy Inspector General of Police” (DIG).

However, the entire conspiracy unfolded after Khanna Police’s cyber wing started an investigation and found loopholes in the story presented by the accused.

“We found that the claims made by the accused of a fake call centre being run by the three Noida men was fabricated and there was no evidence to register a case against them. The accused including both cops first demanded Rs 10 crore from the three men and later reduced it to Rs 5 crore. They then demanded Rs 70 lakh but when the deal could not be reached, they brought them to Khanna and asked cyber cell to register a case claiming that the Noida trio was running a fake call centre,” said Khanna DSP (investigation) Mohit Singla.

Khanna Police have registered an FIR against ASI Kuldeep Singh, head constable Balwinder Singh and four of their accomplices – Gagandeep Singh alias Apple, Karandeep Singh, Mani and an unidentified- at Cyber Crime police station under the sections 319 (cheating by personation), 140 (kidnapping), 3 (5) (criminal act done with common intention) and 318 (4) (cheating) of BNS.

Karandeep has been arrested while other accused are absconding, said the DSP Singla.

According to police, the incident took place on the night of September 15 when the accused, posing as senior police officers, stormed a call centre in Sector 136, Noida.

They allegedly seized mobile phones and laptops from the staff before forcibly making three businessmen—Tarun Agrawal, Herat Shah, and Thurai Raj—sit in two black SUVs. The victims were then driven to Ludhiana and held hostage at a dhaba until morning.

The victims later revealed that the accused initially demanded Rs 10 crore, claiming a complaint was pending against them with Chandigarh Cyber Crime. The amount was later reduced to Rs 5 crore, then Rs 2 crore, and finally the accused tried to settle for Rs 70 lakh.

The gang also allegedly forced cryptocurrency transfers worth over Rs 4 lakh, compelled purchases of gift cards, and looted personal belongings, including a phone and a watch from Noida men.