Man claiming Bishnoi gang links arrested for extortion attempt on doctor

A 35-year-old man who allegedly claimed to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and demanded Rs 25 lakh from a doctor has been arrested in Delhi, police said on Monday.

The complainant, a senior doctor at a private hospital, received a threatening call on his mobile phone on October 2. The caller allegedly demanded Rs 25 lakh and claimed to know the doctor's personal details, including his car registration number and his wife's name, police said.

Following the complaint, a case was registered at Paschim Vihar East police station. A joint team comprising personnel from the police station and the Special Staff was formed to trace the accused. Police used technical and human intelligence to track the mobile number allegedly used to make the extortion calls.

The doctor was asked to remain in contact with the caller and record their conversations. The accused later instructed him to bring the extortion money near a hospital in Rohini on October 2, a police officer said.

Police laid a trap at the location and arrested the accused when he arrived to collect the money. He was identified as Himanshu Jain, a resident of Pooth Gram Sabha, the officer said.

A mobile phone and a SIM card allegedly used to make the extortion calls were recovered from Jain. Police also seized the car allegedly used by him during the offence.

During interrogation, Jain told police that he had committed the offence to meet his financial needs. Police said he had previously been involved in two cases, including an extortion case registered at Subhash Place police station in 2018 and another case registered at Preet Vihar police station in 2020.

Further investigation is underway, police said.  (with inputs from PTI)