The Commissionerate Police in Jalandhar arrested four individuals on Sunday, including the self-styled national president of the Shri Ram Bhakt Sena, for allegedly extorting Rs 60,000 from a Muslim family. The accused threatened to falsely implicate the family in a cow slaughter case if the money was not paid.
Incident Details
According to police, the family had purchased meat from a dead buffalo at Buta Mandi, a raw hide market, for a private function. Division 5 police station SHO Yadwinder Singh Rana stated that Rubina, a resident of Katra Mohalla in Basti Danishmanda, filed a complaint alleging that five to six individuals led by Dharmendra Mishra entered her house while the meat was being cut and began recording videos.
Threats and Assault
The complaint further stated that the accused threatened to register a case against the family for possessing cow meat unless they paid Rs 2 lakh. The complainant also alleged that her elderly mother-in-law was assaulted and that Mishra displayed a licensed weapon during the incident.
Payment and Arrests
Police said the family managed to arrange Rs 60,000 by selling a pair of earrings and withdrawing cash from an ATM, which was handed over to the accused. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested four accused, including Mishra. A licensed weapon was also recovered from Mishra.
Journalist Assaulted
Police further alleged that two associates of the accused confined and assaulted a local journalist who had recorded the incident, pressuring him to delete the video. Both associates are currently absconding.
Legal Action
The police have registered a case under charges including extortion, criminal intimidation, trespass, and outraging the modesty of a woman. Further investigation is underway. Police noted that Mishra had recently staged a protest outside Basti Bawa Khel police station and was facing complaints in other matters as well.
