Police in Ludhiana have initiated a major search operation to apprehend four individuals accused of threatening a local brick kiln owner with extortion demands backed by gangsters. This incident underscores a worrying trend of rising gang-related violence in Punjab's key industrial region.
The Confrontation and Threats
The victim, Harjeet Singh, approached the Koomkalan police with a harrowing account. He stated that on Friday at around 3 pm, he was intercepted near his brick kiln by Gursharan Singh and three other accomplices. The three associates were masked and armed with pistols.
Gursharan Singh allegedly delivered a chilling message, warning Harjeet that "gangsters" were demanding protection money due to his successful business. The threat was explicit: pay up or face death. The gangsters also threatened the life of Harjeet's cousin, Jaspreet Singh.
Root of the Conflict: A Disputed Loan
The confrontation finds its origins in a financial transaction from 2023. According to reports, Jaspreet Singh and a friend had taken a loan of Rs 55 lakh from Gursharan Singh. Over time, with added interest, the debt reportedly ballooned to a massive Rs 87 lakh.
In an effort to clear this debt, Jaspreet Singh reportedly sold his brick kiln, land, and other plots. However, Gursharan Singh allegedly began demanding an additional Rs 1 crore, claiming this sum was meant for gangsters.
Harjeet Singh stepped in to mediate a settlement. It was agreed that Jaspreet would pay Rs 65 lakh in interest-free instalments of Rs 5 lakh each. The first of these instalments was paid on December 27. Despite this settlement, the armed threat for more money ensued.
Police Action and Wider Concerns
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the Koomkalan police have registered a formal case against Gursharan Singh and his three unidentified accomplices. The charges have been filed under relevant sections of the law pertaining to extortion and arms acts.
Raids are currently underway across possible hideouts to arrest the accused. This case arrives amid a noticeable wave of similar threats and intimidation tactics linked to gangster networks in Ludhiana, causing alarm among the business community in the industrial heartland.
