With the arrest of eight criminals, the Delhi Police on Monday claimed to have solved an extortion and attempt to murder case of a banquet hall businessman in the national Capital. Police said that they have also recovered a country-made pistol along with three cartridges and a scooty used in commission of the crime.
The arrested accused were, Amit Shukla (42) who is also convict in Soumya Vishwanathan and Jigisha Ghosh murder case and one Naveen Dabas (30) alias Bali, a member of Neeraj Bawania gang. Apart from them, six of their associates were also arrested for extortion bid of Rs 2.5 crore from a businessman in Rajender Nagar. Six accused were identified as, Varun Vashisht (23), Lakhan Verma (28), Sushil (27), Nitesh Phore (25) Ankit (23) and Abhay Arora (27).
Shukla is a JNU post graduate and involved in 11 cases while Dabas was involved in 18 cases including four cases of murder and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Sanjay Bhatia, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central district, said, on February 23, a police control room (PCR) call was received regarding firing at a house in Rajendra Nagar area.
“The complainant stated that he received ‘WhatsApp’ calls from unknown number for Rs 2.5 Crore and caller was saying that he is a criminal and if the said amount was not paid he will face bullets on door. Despite many calls he took the matter lightly and not informed to police,” said the DCP.
“On March 23, two boys came at his home and opened fire in which the complainant and his, 12 year-old, nephew got bullet injuries. A case under relevant sections were registered and a probe was initiated,” said the DCP.
“During investigation, the Whatsapp conversation of victim was seized and on analysis of conversation it was revealed that the call was done by the two criminals, Naveen Dabas and Amit Shukla, who are convicted in other cases and presently lodged in Tihar Jail,” said the DCP.
“It was also revealed that the detail of victim was given to these criminals by Abhay, who was the ex-business partner of victim. Thereafter Abhay was arrested from Palam Vihar and during scanning of his mobile phone police team recovered voice recording of alleged Naveen and Amit in his WhatsApp sent by Lakhan,” said the DCP.
“During interrogation he disclosed that he had dispute with complainant and his brother over money involved in a joint venture and he wants to take revenge for this. He asked help from one Lakhan roped in his brother-in-law Sushil, a BC of PS Pul Pahladpur and had nexus with gangsters. Further a deal was finalized between Abhay and Sushil at 20 per cent of Rs. 2.5 Cr,” said the DCP.
“Further Lakhan was arrested and disclosed that a video featuring incident that took place at complainant’s house, was sent by Sushil. On his instance Sushil was nabbed and from his phone several voice whatsapp conversation were found between him and Naveen Dabas and Amit Shukla,” said the DCP.
“Later other associates were also nabbed. Further after obtaining permission from court Naveen Dabas and Amit Shukla were arrested from Tihar Jail. A pistol was recovered from Varun who had fired at the victim;’s house. All the arrested accused are in judicial custody,” the DCP added.
