Udham Singh Nagar (Khatima) sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Richa Singh was allegedly threatened by an unidentified person on her mobile phone. She had registered a complaint in the Police Station, Khatima regarding the same. According to the complaint, she was asked to shell out Rs 60,000 to stay put in the post she is holding. Teams are investigating the complaint, said Khatima Police Station officer Ajay Dhyani on Tuesday. However, he refused to divulge details. Teams from Special Task Force, Special Operation Group and local police station have been formed and they are investigating the case, he added.
Khatima SDM Richa Singh said that she had received a threatening, anonymous phone call on Tuesday morning and a case under appropriate sections of IPC had been registered in the police station, Khatima. Police sources said that SDM Richa Singh had informed the local police that the anonymous caller had demanded Rs 60, 000 from her while warning that she would be removed from her present post if she failed to comply.
Udham Singh Nagar police facing criticism from all fronts regarding alarming spurt in crimes, the incident has compounded their plight, said an observer. "An SDM being threatened this way is something incredible in Uttarakhand. Police must identify the caller in no time to keep people to continue reposing confidence in them,"added the observer.