Pune Shop Owner Extorted of Rs 7 Lakh Over Year, Accused Now Demands More Money
The Chikhali police in Pune have officially registered a criminal case against a resident of Rupinagar for allegedly extorting a substantial sum of Rs 7 lakh from a local shop owner. This extortion scheme has been ongoing since March of the previous year, with the situation escalating when the accused demanded an additional Rs 1.70 lakh from the victim.
Victim Approaches Police After Fresh Demand
The shop owner, who had been suffering in silence, finally approached the Chikhali police on Monday. This decisive action came immediately after the accused made a fresh demand for Rs 1.70 lakh, pushing the victim to seek legal intervention and protection.
Assistant Police Inspector Sidhhanath Babar, who is overseeing the investigation from the Chikhali police station, provided detailed insights into the case's background. According to API Babar, the shop owner had borrowed money from a woman approximately a decade ago. In March of this year, the accused approached the shop owner, claiming that he was the original lender of that money to the woman and demanding its repayment from the shop owner.
Threats and Coercion Used in Extortion
"When the complainant clearly stated that he had already cleared his dues long ago and refused to hand over any money, the accused resorted to intimidation," explained API Babar. "The accused explicitly threatened that he would not allow the shop owner to continue operating his business at that location. He even went further, threatening to implicate the shop owner in a fabricated criminal case by planting ganja (cannabis) inside his shop premises."
Fearing for his safety and livelihood, the terrified shop owner succumbed to the pressure. Over different intervals, he handed over cash totaling Rs 7 lakh to the accused. Additionally, the extortion included a mobile handset and a gold ring, significantly increasing the total value of the losses suffered by the victim.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
The complainant's decision to approach the police was triggered by the accused's latest demand for Rs 1.70 lakh. "We have formally issued a notice to the accused based on the complaint received," stated API Babar. "Our team is currently in the process of thoroughly verifying all the claims made by the complainant to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the investigation."
This case highlights the severe impact of extortion on small business owners and the importance of timely police intervention. The Chikhali police are actively pursuing the matter to bring the accused to justice and prevent further victimization.
