Zirakpur property dealer receives ₹1-cr extortion call, caller claims link to gangster Doni Bal

The complainant, Manmohan Singh, alias Sonu, 34, in his complaint to police, said he received the first threat call from an international number via WhatsApp around 6.15 pm on March 26

Police on Wednesday launched a probe after a Baltana-based property dealer claimed of receiving an extortion call demanding ₹1 crore.

The complaint comes amid a rise in extortion threats in the region. (HT)

He further alleged that the caller introduced himself as brother of foreign-based gangster Doni Bal.

The complainant, Manmohan Singh, alias Sonu, 34, in his complaint to police, said he received the first threat call from an international number via WhatsApp around 6.15 pm on March 26. The caller, speaking in Punjabi, threatened him and demanded ₹1 crore.

He told police that the caller contacted him again on March 28. During the second call, the caller claimed to be the younger brother of gangster Doni Bal and warned him by referring to “what happened with kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria”. The caller claimed that his house, office and vehicles were under the gang’s radar.

A case under Section 308 (2) (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered. Further investigation is underway, the police said. The case has been transferred to the cyber crime branch.

In February, actor and singer Himanshi Khurana had received an extortion call allegedly from Bishnoi gang. Singer and composer B Praak was also recently contacted by gangsters with a ₹10-crore extortion demand.