Rajkot Paint Trader Targeted in Brazen Fake Police Extortion Scheme
In a disturbing incident in Rajkot, a 47-year-old paint trader fell victim to an extortion racket orchestrated by two individuals masquerading as police officers. The victim, Janardan Sahani, was allegedly threatened and coerced into handing over Rs 30,000 in cash under false pretenses.
Details of the Midday Ambush
The episode unfolded around 2:30 PM on Wednesday as Sahani was returning home from Virani Chowk for lunch. Near Astron Chowk, two men intercepted him, identifying themselves as police personnel. They flagged down his motorcycle and, leveraging the threat of taking him to the police station, forced him onto their two-wheeler.
Sahani was then transported to the isolated Bhaktinagar Station Plot area, where the duo intensified their pressure, demanding an online money transfer. When immediate compliance proved impossible, Sahani contacted an acquaintance to deliver Rs 30,000 in cash, which the perpetrators seized before making a swift escape.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest and Recovery
Following Sahani's formal complaint, A Division police initiated a thorough investigation. Utilizing CCTV footage and advanced technical surveillance, authorities successfully tracked down and apprehended 26-year-old Sandeep Ramavat from the Dudhsagar Road locality.
Ramavat was discovered to have a prior criminal record involving impersonation of police officers for extortion purposes. The second suspect, identified as Altaf Memon, remains at large, prompting an active manhunt by law enforcement.
In a significant breakthrough, police confiscated the two-wheeler used during the crime and recovered a total of Rs 80,000, which includes the Rs 30,000 extorted from Sahani.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Both Ramavat and Memon have been formally charged under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:
- Section 308 (2)
- Section 204
- Section 3 (5)
The case highlights a concerning pattern of criminal impersonation targeting unsuspecting citizens. Authorities continue their efforts to locate and arrest the absconding suspect, Altaf Memon, to ensure full accountability for this audacious extortion attempt.
