The accused posed as notorious gangster 'Shakti' from Tihar Jail to extort money from the businessman

New Delhi, March 3

The Delhi Crime Branch has foiled a big extortion racket where a Delhi based businessman was being allegedly threatened to pay Rs. Two crores as extortion to a gang. The accused posed as notorious gangster 'Shakti' from Tihar Jail and allegedly harassed the businessman.

The accused were identified as Deepak Sahrawat (27) of Gol Market in Delhi, Satish Kumar (19) of Uttam Nagar who originally belongs to Allahabad in UP.  

Additional CP (Crime) Shibesh Singh stated that the duo used to pose as gangster 'Shakti' to extort money from the businessman whom they were targetting since last one month to earn quick money. 

The Delhi Crime Branch had received a complaint from a businessman on March 1 alleging that on January 23, at about 9 AM, he received a phone call on his mobile phone stating that “Shakti” is calling from Tihar Jail, Delhi. The caller threatened the complainant and demanded Rs. two crores from him and gave two days for arranging the same. 

The police added that on the same day at about 5 PM, he again called from same number and reiterated the demand of Rs. Two Crores. 

The businessman again received a call on March 1 at about 9 AM from another mobile number from the same caller, who threatened him to pay the demanded money else be ready to face the consequences.     

The crime branch jumped to action and began tracing the accused whose locations were identified. It was revealed that the suspects were active in the area of Hari Nagar and Janakpuri of Delhi. After confirming the presence in the area, a crime branch team led by DCP Bhisham Singh conduct a raid in the area of Hari Nagar and Janakpuri to nab the culprits.

The team spotted one of the suspect who  identified himself as Satish Kumar. During sustained interrogation, he confessed his involvement in the crime and was subsequently arrested. On his search, his personal mobile phone containing call record with his associates was recovered. Thereafter, at his instance, his associate namely Deepak Sahrawat who had made extortion calls to complainant was apprehended from his house. 

Speaking about the modus operandi of the accused, the crime branch Deepak and Satish were working at a chemist shop in Janakpuri, near the complainant business premises. From few months back, the accused persons wanted to earn some quick money and both the accused hatched this conspiracy to extort the money from the complainant as they considered him to be an easy prey.

They further disclosed that they both are working at a chemist shop but they needed more money to fulfill their desires. Hence they hatched a criminal conspiracy and arranged two SIMs card and two mobile phones to demand huge amount of money from the complainant. Satish Kumar arranged two SIMs from his native place, Allahabad and two mobile phones from Delhi. It was Deepak Sahrawat who called the complainant, threatened him and demanded two crore rupees as protection money. He called the complainant from the vicinity of Tihar Jail and identified himself as a Gangster Shakti lodged in Tihar jail.  

They did not use their personal mobile numbers for the purpose of making extortion calls to avoid any trouble and tried to execute their plan in a professional manner. He himself claimed to be the gangster Shakti from Tihar Jail, the officials added. 

Giving more information on the accused, the crime branch stated that Deepak Sahrawat was raised in Delhi. His father was employee in Lady Harding Hospital. In 2005, his father has passed away in a road accident. He did a Diploma in Pharmacy from Gurugram and started working on a medical shop.  He works on a medical store in Janakpuri near the complainant’s premises. He claims to be 'inspired' by a member of Golu gang namely Shanky who resides in the same locality. Another accused Satish Kumar belongs to Allahabad. He studied upto 12th class from his village. He moved to Delhi after lockdown to stay with his brother. He started working at the same medical store. 

The crime branch recovered four mobile phones with SIM cards that were used for making extortion calls. They also seized 

One Hundai I-20 car No. DL10CN 2783 used in commission of Crime.

The officers added that both the accused are on police remand. The crime branch is further investigating the case.