Punjab Police Nab Key Suspect in Khanna Extortion and Shooting Case
In a significant development, Punjab Police have made another arrest in the high-profile extortion and shooting case involving a cloth merchant from Khanna. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the local business community, occurred approximately one-and-a-half months ago when armed assailants opened fire at the merchant's residence following a staggering extortion demand of Rs 5 crore.
Accused Identified and Apprehended After International Escape
The latest individual taken into custody has been identified as Suraj Singh Rajpurohit, also known by the alias Mohit. A resident of Punjabi Bagh in Ambala Cantonment, Rajpurohit is suspected of playing a crucial role in harboring the main shooters responsible for the violent attack. Following his arrest, he was produced before a local court, which granted the police a two-day remand for further interrogation and investigation.
According to Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Darpan Ahluwalia, Rajpurohit attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Thailand as police began rounding up his associates. However, his luck ran out when he returned to India in February. The Khanna police successfully apprehended him on March 2, marking a critical breakthrough in the ongoing probe.
Investigation Uncovers Links to Accomplices and Jail Delivery
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Rajpurohit was actively involved in supporting his accomplices. Police sources indicate that he purchased clothing items for three of his associates in Ludhiana and subsequently delivered these items to them while they were incarcerated. This detail suggests a deeper network of support and coordination among the accused individuals, prompting authorities to intensify their efforts to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy.
The case originally came to light around the end of January, more than a week after unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants fired shots at the house of the cloth trader in Khanna. In the initial phase of the investigation, police arrested five persons in connection with the incident. These individuals were identified as Amit Kumar (40) of Gulmohar Nagar, Khanna; Ishwar Singh Randhawa (29) of Randhawa Street on Malerkotla road in Khanna; Vivek Watts (31) of Dakkoli in SAS Nagar district; Harpreet Singh (29) of Umarpura, Raikot; and Parmveer Singh (29) of Bhamipur village in Hathur.
Extortion Demand Linked to Notorious Gangster
Khanna police have disclosed that the extortion demand was allegedly orchestrated by the notorious gangster Goldy Brar. According to official statements, Brar sent an audio clip to the cloth merchant in late December, demanding a ransom of Rs 5 crore. This audacious threat preceded the violent attack on the merchant's residence, highlighting the severe risks faced by business owners in the region.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are meticulously piecing together the evidence to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice. The arrest of Suraj Singh Rajpurohit represents a pivotal step in dismantling the criminal network behind this brazen extortion attempt. Police have assured the public that a thorough and comprehensive probe is underway, with further updates expected as new information emerges.
