Man held for threatening, demanding Rs 1.5 cr

Rajkot, Jul 17 (UNI) A man has been arrested for threatening to kidnap the son of a city-based builder.

According to police, an accused Rafique Satar Jaria had demanded Rs 1.5 crore from a city-based builder Manoj Malani as 'Protection Money'. Police arrested him yesterday from a public telephone booth of the city.

The accused, a part-time singer, had made frequent calls from different public telephone booths to Manoj Malani of Malani Construction and said some professional 'gang' were planning to kidnap his son Parth (15) studying in Coimbatore, if he does not pay the amount. He was demanding protection money as member of the 'gang'.

The city-based Builder Mr Malani had informed the Police Commissioner Sudhir Sinha about the threat calls. During investigations, police found that the caller was using public telephones and changing locations frequently.

Further investigation about Rafique revealed that he needed Rs 20 lakh for the treatment of his four-year-old-son, who is suffering from thalassaemia. Therefore, he opted the offence to get the amount for the treatment of his ailing son, the police said.

Further investigation is on.

UNI AV GR SY DS1353