Blackmailing racket exposed in Kandwa, accused arrested

Kandwa (MP), June 29 (UNI) A gang, involved in looting and blackmailing travellers after photographing them in objectionable positions with women, was busted with the arrest of six persons, including two women, police said today.

Superintendent of Police D C Sagar said Harda-residents Mukesh alias Sonu and his wife Asha, Dhar-resident Sangeeta Bhilala, a Harda police hawaldar's son Ashish Toppo, Mithun Bairagi and one else were arrested on June 26 on the basis of businessman Rajendra Chouhan's complaint.

He said Mr Chouhan was returning from nearby villages on a moped on June 18 when three people beat him up and looted cash from him. He was taken to an isolated place, stripped and photographed with a woman.

Mr Sagar said the accused blackmailed Mr Chouhan, demanding Rs 20,000 from him. However, when he said he did not possess the amount, he was asked to send Rs 5,000 through Dhamnaud's bus driver.

Police arrested a gang member while he was talking to the bus driver. Later, the other accused were nabbed. However, another accused, Sandip Vishnoi, is absconding.

The accused were presented before the Khandwa district court, which remanded them in police remand.

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