A prominent political figure and social worker in Jharkhand's Chatra district has become the target of a high-stakes extortion attempt, allegedly involving a notorious gangster. Premchand, also known as Prem Singh, a leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), businessman, and former mukhiya, reported receiving a threatening demand for Rs 2 crore through WhatsApp.
The Threatening Call and Filthy Demand
The incident occurred on December 11, when Singh, a resident of Pindra village in the Hunterganj block, received an audio message on his WhatsApp. The message originated from an unknown international number. In the audio clip, the caller boldly identified himself as Prince Khan, a notorious gangster reportedly based in Dhanbad.
The caller used filthy language to issue the extortion demand of Rs 2 crore. He warned Premchand Singh that failure to pay the massive sum would result in his killing. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Hunterganj police station, the caller even claimed to be contacting Singh from Dubai, adding an international dimension to the threat.
Formal Complaint and Police Investigation
Taking the threat seriously, Premchand Singh has lodged a formal complaint with the local police. The case is now under active investigation. Hunterganj officer-in-charge Prabhat Kumar confirmed that the police are probing all angles of the case.
"Police are probing the case," stated OC Prabhat Kumar. He further revealed that investigators are exploring the possibility of local involvement. "We are also trying to identify whether any local link or sleeper cell is involved," he added, indicating that the police are considering if the call was made with support from individuals within the region.
Profile of the Target and Implications
The target, Premchand Singh, is not an ordinary citizen. He is a noted social worker, a businessman, and a political leader affiliated with the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in Chatra district. His former role as a mukhiya (village head) adds to his local influence and public profile. This extortion attempt on a well-known public figure has raised concerns about the safety of politicians and community leaders in the region.
Such incidents highlight the evolving nature of crime, where digital platforms like WhatsApp are used to deliver threats from seemingly untraceable international numbers. The police's focus on uncovering a potential local sleeper cell suggests a coordinated effort to dismantle any networks supporting such criminal intimidation tactics. The community awaits further developments as the investigation progresses.
