Major Breakthrough in Hazaribag Extortion Case
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Hazaribag police have successfully dismantled an extortion racket operating in the district. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Barhi police Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ajit Kumar Vimal arrested six individuals accused of terrorizing local residents through extortion demands.
The Extortion Operation Uncovered
The case came to light when Gulam Rabani, a resident of Ghanghri village under Barkatha police station, became the target of these criminals. According to police reports, Rabani, who is described as practicing alternative medicine in his village, received a threatening phone call on October 30 demanding a massive sum of Rs 10 lakh.
The situation escalated dramatically on November 6 when unidentified miscreants opened fire at Rabani's car parked outside his residence. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the shooting incident. The prompt response from the victim led to the immediate registration of a case on the same day, triggering a thorough police investigation into both the firing incident and the extortion demand.
Police Action and Arrests
Addressing media representatives during a press conference, SDPO Ajit Kumar Vimal detailed the police operation that led to the breakthrough. "Through coordinated raids across areas under Barkatha and Gorhar police stations, we apprehended all six accused involved in this criminal enterprise," Vimal stated.
The police have identified the arrested individuals as:
- Naved Khan alias Golu Khan of Barkatha
- Saman Ansari of Jhurjhuri village
- Abul Ansari of Konhara Kala village
- Afsar Ansari of Ghanghri
- Alok Kumar of Barkatha
- Satyam Kumar of Belkappi village under Gorhar police station
During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered substantial evidence including one country-made revolver, eight live cartridges, a motorcycle, and six mobile phones from the possession of the accused.
Confessions and Additional Crimes
Vimal revealed that during interrogation, all six accused have confessed to their involvement in the crime. The investigation took another significant turn when the suspects admitted to using the same mobile number to target another individual in Tatijharia with similar extortion demands.
This revelation suggests that the criminal group had been operating systematically in the region, targeting multiple victims using identical modus operandi. The police are now investigating whether this gang was involved in other unsolved extortion cases in Hazaribag district and surrounding areas.
The successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated police action against organized crime in rural areas of Jharkhand. Local residents have expressed relief at the arrests, hoping this will bring an end to the reign of terror created by such extortion rackets in the region.
