2 arrested for demanding Rs 50 lakh from businessman

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Two men were arrested for allegedly demanding Rs 50 lakh from a ready-made garments shop owner in lieu of sparing the life of his son, the police said today.

On December 3, the 57-year-old businessman, received a call demanding ‘protection money’ for the life of his son, they said.

When a call was made to the number, the phone was found to be switched off. Its last location was Baljeet Nagar and the caller had left his registered address a few years ago, the police said.

Pravesh Kumar alias Praveen (31) was arrested from Baljeet Nagar and he led the police to his accomplice, Aman (22), who was arrested from Karol Bagh, they said.

During interrogation, Praveen revealed that he had started a washing plant for ready-made garments and was working with the businessman. After suffering financial losses earlier this year, due to his drinking habits, he had to shut down the plant, the police claimed.

Praveen’s friend Aman lent him Rs 70,000 which he could not return despite repeated requests. Since both of them were under financial constraints they plotted to extort money from Praveen’s former employer, they said.

Praveen used an SIM card issued in his name, when he was staying in Karol Bagh eight to 10 years ago, to make the call demanding the ‘protection money’.

After making the extortion call, the accused got it blocked on the pretext that the cellphone had got stolen, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Rajneesh Gupta said.