Punjab Police Arrest Father of Sidhu Moosewala's Former Manager in Major Extortion Case
In a significant development in Punjab's crime landscape, Khanna police have made a crucial arrest in a high-profile extortion case involving a demand of Rs 1 crore. The arrested individual is Saudagar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib, whose son Shaganpreet Singh has previously been linked to multiple criminal investigations, including the murder of youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera in 2021.
Details of the Extortion Threat and Police Investigation
The case originated when a commission agent (arhitya) from the Payal area of Khanna received threatening calls demanding Rs 1 crore as extortion money. The caller allegedly identified himself as gangster Doni Bal, creating immediate alarm for the trader who operates in the local grain market.
DSP Investigation Mohit Singla provided detailed insights into the police response. "A few days ago, Balwinder Singh alias Doni Bal, a resident of Beas in Amritsar, made extortion calls to a trader in the Payal area," stated Singla. "Following the complaint, we registered an FIR at Payal police station and launched a comprehensive investigation."
International Connections and Family Involvement
The investigation revealed complex connections spanning international borders. Police discovered that Shaganpreet Singh, currently residing in Australia, was allegedly involved in the extortion scheme alongside Doni Bal. More significantly, authorities determined that Shaganpreet's father, Saudagar Singh, had actively participated by allegedly sharing sensitive information about the targeted trader with the extortionists.
"Our investigation revealed that Shaganpreet Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, was involved in the case along with Doni Bal," confirmed DSP Singla. "We also found that his father Saudagar Singh was involved and have accordingly arrested him in connection with this serious crime."
Background of the Accused and Previous Criminal Links
Shaganpreet Singh's name carries substantial notoriety in Punjab's criminal history. Beyond his alleged involvement in this extortion case, he remains a wanted figure in the 2021 murder case of youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera. Police sources indicate he was treated as a suspect or conspirator in that investigation, though he has consistently denied the allegations, claiming false implication and lack of corroborative evidence.
Adding to the case's prominence, Shaganpreet Singh previously served as manager for the late Punjabi singing sensation Sidhu Moosewala, creating additional layers of public interest in the unfolding investigation.
Timeline of the Extortion Attempt and Police Response
Police sources have reconstructed the sequence of events leading to the arrest:
- The extortion calls were made to the trader approximately one to two weeks before formal complaints were lodged
- The complainant officially registered the case around March 25 after receiving multiple calls from a foreign number
- Initially ignoring the calls, the trader later received a voice message containing explicit threats
- The voice message specifically demanded Rs 1 crore and contained veiled threats against the complainant's children
- The caller demonstrated detailed knowledge of the trader's business operations, mentioning his shop address in the grain market
Police have confirmed that a lookout circular will be issued against all accused individuals in this case, indicating their determination to pursue justice across jurisdictions. The arrest of Saudagar Singh represents a significant breakthrough, but authorities continue their pursuit of other individuals connected to this organized extortion attempt targeting Punjab's business community.
