Bhubaneswar Police Crack Down on Extortion Racket Targeting Colleges
In a significant development, the Bhubaneswar city police have apprehended eight individuals, comprising four women, on charges of extorting money from various educational institutions. The arrests were made on Friday following allegations of unlawful activities that disrupted academic operations and instilled fear among staff and students.
Chaos and Intimidation at Private College Gate
According to police reports, the accused, who are linked to a private money recovery agency, gathered outside the main gate of a private college on Thursday. They allegedly created chaos and obstruction by shouting defamatory slogans against the chairman and vice-chairman, while beating drums loudly. This disruptive behavior reportedly frightened staff and students and hindered the entry of people into the campus, severely impacting academic activities and examinations.
Police authorities noted that this was not an isolated incident. The group had engaged in similar unlawful activities on March 30, indicating a pattern of behavior aimed at intimidating institutions during the critical admission season. An officer stated, "On Thursday, they blocked the college gate, waved red flags, and disrupted academic activities and examinations. They identified themselves as recovery agents of a private finance company and extorted money from educational institutions."
Accused Deny Charges, Claim Legitimate Recovery Efforts
Despite the allegations, the arrested individuals have denied any wrongdoing. One of them asserted, "We are an authorised enforcement wing of a private lender. Our job is to recover dues from defaulters. We never extorted money from anyone." The suspects claimed they visited the private technical institute to recover loan amounts but were prevented by security personnel from meeting the authorities.
They further alleged that their protest outside the campus was met with misbehaviour, particularly toward their women staff, and accused the police of siding with the institute. An arrested woman recounted, "Though we were manhandled, the police refused to accept our complaint. They showed undue favour to the institute and arrested us despite no wrongdoing."
Police Investigation and Broader Implications
The police are continuing their investigation into the matter, focusing on the intent behind the accused's actions. Authorities believe the group aimed to exploit the admission season by creating fear and disruption to extort money from vulnerable educational institutions. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the misuse of recovery agencies and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Bhubaneswar police have urged educational institutions to report any similar threats or extortion attempts promptly. The arrests serve as a warning against unlawful activities that compromise the safety and integrity of academic environments in the city.
