Fake CBI sleuths arrested for extortion

Three people, including a former employee of Indian Air Force, were arrested on Friday for posing as CBI sleuths and demanding money from a man.

Three people, including a former employee of Indian Air Force, were arrested on Friday for posing as CBI sleuths and demanding money from a man.

HT Image

The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Prassanna Kantilal Mehta alias S.K. Jain who entered in to a deal with the complainant, who was supposed to arrange for an investor to invest Rs 15 lakh. But the complainant refused to arrange for money.

The complainant, known only by his first name, Suresh, got a call in May from Jain saying that the CBI is closely observing exporters, including the complainant. They told Suresh to pay up if he wants to be spared.

Suresh also received a call from Suryakant Kelkar demanding Rs 15 lakh.

“Kelkar told Suresh that he (Suresh) should pay him if he wants to get rid of this CBI surveillance,” said special CBI prosecutor Ejaz Khan.

After negotiations, the amount was brought down from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Suresh filed a complaint with the ACB. “A trap was laid in Hyderabad on June 6 as Singh had asked Suresh to pay the installment of Rs 5 lakh,” said Khan.
Suresh handed over the money to a person, allegedly a hawala operator.

Khan also told the court that this was a bigger racket and this arrested could just be a tip of an iceberg.