The Delhi Police arrested a 24 year old man in connection with an extortion bid of Rs 50 lakhs where he threatened a cloth trader for his life in North Delhi’s Lahori Gate.

According to the police on Monday, the accused has been Aman Qureshi, resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzzaffar Nagar. “He used to visit the complainant's shop to purchase clothes at wholesale prices. He made this plan to extort money as he has borrowed money from different shopkeepers and needed money to maintain his lavish lifestyle,” DCP North Manoj Kumar Meena said, adding that two days police custody remand of Qureshi has been obtained to arrest the co-accused.

“On August 4, Mohd. Abrar, resident of Dadri in Uttar Pradesh, who is dealing in readymade garments and having his shop in Katra Neel had received a mobile phone call for Ransom wherein he was asked to deliver Rs. 50 lakhs to the extortionist at Jama Masjid,” Meena stated.

Further, more ransom calls were received by him where the caller asked to give the money or to face life threatening consequences. “Under extreme fear the matter was not reported to the local police, however the local police had learnt of the incident and after much persuasion on his statement, a case under section 308(4) of BNS was registered at Lahori Gate police station and investigation has been taken up,” the DCP said. He also added that the trader was provided with an officer for his security as he was extremely afraid and also closed his shop for a few days.

During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the calls were made by two persons by borrowing it from labourers. “To mislead, the purported calls were made from Bahalgarh and Panipat, Haryana. Qureshi was apprehended from Khatauli, Mujjaffar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, who during investigation has disclosed that he along-with his associates were behind this conspiracy, as they had credible information that Abrar was doing well in his business and would be a source for making some easy money. Teams have been formed and raids are being conducted in Delhi and other states to apprehend the co-accused and conspirators,” the DCP shared.

One Wagon-R Car which was used in the offence and an I-phone of the accused was recovered by the police and the investigation of this case is in progress.