AAP MLA Gulab Singh may be asked to join investigation in extortion case

Two days after three people arrested for extortion were found to have links with Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Matiala MLA Gulab Singh, police said the MLA maybe asked to join the probe

Two days after three people arrested for extortion were found to have links with Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Matiala MLA Gulab Singh, police said the MLA maybe asked to join the probe. Singh’s Innova was allegedly used by the trio for committing a crime on Tuesday.

Gulab Singh's Innova car recovered from criminals.

The three, identified as Devender, Satish, and Jagdish were booked for extorting money from two builders – Deepak Sharma and his partner Ranku Diwan – in Bindapur area.

Satish and Jagdish were overpowered by the builders with the help of locals and handed over to the police. Devender, who managed to flee in the Innova, was caught later in the night. The Innova bearing MLA’s stickers was also seized, police said.

Investigators said Devender is a cousin of the Matiala legislator and his permanent driver. The MLA is camping in Gujarat for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections since September 6.

“As the MLA’s personal vehicle was used by his relatives and two alleged supporters in a crime, we will probe his role in the case as well. The MLA has not been given a clean chit so far. He may be called for questioning if we find any evidence against him,” said a senior police officer.

Speaking to HT, Singh said that he was not in Delhi when the crime took place. The legislator claimed it a political conspiracy against him by his political rivals for standing against illegal constructions in Matiala.

Though the MLA admitted that Devender and Satish were known to him, he denied having any association with Jagdish. Singh defended Devender saying he was being unnecessarily dragged into the matter.

“I will resign from my post and party’s membership if Devender’s and my involvement is established in the case,” said the MLA.

Asked if the police have asked him to join the probe, the MLA said that he was contacted by SHO of the Bindapur police station only to inform him about the incident. “Till date, I have not been asked to join the probe. I will appear before them (investigators) without any delay, if they ask me to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, interrogation of the three revealed that they had extorted money from the two builders twice last week. They allegedly extorted `1.5 lakh on September 8 and `50,000 on September 10 after threatening them that buildings constructed by them would be demolished or sealed if the money was not paid.

On Tuesday, the three reached the builders’ office and extorted `1.5 lakh again. As they were about to leave, the builders raised an alarm and alerted locals. Satish and Jagdish were caught on the spot. Devender was caught later.

“A case of extortion and common intention was registered and the three were arrested. We are probing the case further to establish if more people were involved in the crime,” said Surender Kumar, DCP (southwest).