Mumbai: The crime branch has arrested a self-styled social media influencer for allegedly trying to extort money from a paneer seller by claiming that insects had been found in his dairy products.
The accused, identified as Harbinder Singh Gujral, allegedly claimed to have links with government officials and was caught red-handed while accepting extortion money from complainant Amandeep Behal. Police said Gujral's son, Randeep, is absconding, while his wife, Arvi, was detained and later served a notice to join the investigation.
Behal runs Punjabi Paneer at Veena Nagar CHS in Mulund West. After Gujral allegedly raised a complaint, police personnel visited the shop, followed by BMC officials, who issued notices and temporarily shut the establishment.
Behal later found a reel uploaded by a social media handle named “Afternoon Times”, allegedly defaming his business and claiming that his shop had been shut down. Gujral then allegedly demanded money to “settle” the matter with the media outlet and civic authorities.
According to police, Gujral asked Behal to contact Ajish Pannikar, who was allegedly associated with the media handle. Pannikar allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh per month for six months to remove the video and help rebuild the shop’s reputation. Police said Pannikar is absconding.
On June 10, Harbinder Singh Gujral, his son Randeep Gujral and daughter-in-law Arvi allegedly posed as influential persons with government connections and negotiated a settlement amount of Rs 2.85 lakh. Behal later transferred Rs 50,000 online to a bank account allegedly linked to a media outlet and sent another Rs 6,000 through a payment app for making a video.
“Based on the complaint, our officials laid a trap on Monday near an eatery on LBS Marg in Mulund West. Randeep Gujral and Arvi allegedly arrived to collect the remaining cash when the team intercepted them,” said Raj Tilak Roshan, deputy commissioner of police (Crime).
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