A history-sheeter and his four accomplices have been formally charged with extorting money from a fruit vendor in the Udhna locality of Surat. The primary suspect, Shiva Zala, is accused of demanding protection money from the trader and issuing death threats if regular payments were not made.
Background of the Accused
According to police officials, Zala is allegedly involved in drug peddling and extortion activities. He had recently been released from jail after serving a sentence in a case related to drug and arms possession.
Details of the Incident
The complaint was filed by Keshar Ali Saiyed, 26, who runs a fruit shop in the Mandarwaja area of Surat. On January 4, after collecting Rs 1.25 lakh from the day's business transactions, Saiyed went to Udhna to meet friends and fellow fruit traders.
At approximately 10:30 pm, while Saiyed was standing near Nav Ketan Society with his friend Mushtaq Shaikh, Zala and his aides — Ram Zala and Shahrukh — allegedly approached him. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Zala demanded that Saiyed pay Rs 1,000 daily to his gang members and sought an immediate payment of Rs 50,000. Saiyed allegedly handed over Rs 25,000 and promised to pay the remaining amount later.
Shortly thereafter, two more gang members — Rohit Rathod and Sohel Ghadiyali — arrived at the scene. Rathod allegedly slapped Saiyed and forced him to hand over the remaining cash in his possession. The trader then allegedly gave another Rs 1 lakh to the accused.
The accused allegedly threatened Saiyed with severe consequences and warned him to continue making regular payments if he wanted to stay alive.
Police Response
Rajdeep Nakum, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Special Operations Group (SOG), stated that Zala had recently been arrested after a textile trader lodged an extortion complaint against him. “After coming out of jail, Zala had posted a reel challenging the police. Following his arrest, he apologised for the act. He is a notorious criminal, and we urge traders not to fear him and to approach the police if any extortion demand is made,” Nakum said.
