After Poojari’s arrest, bizman gets threat call

Even after the arrest of underworld don Ravi Poojari, his associates are continuing to haunt wealthy businessmen in the city.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy declared on Friday that Poojari was arrested on January 19 from a salon in Dakar, Senegal, by the Interpol and Senegal Police, but 10 days later, a businessman in Bengaluru received extortion calls through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

Nataraja K N (40), a businessman from Vijaynagar, filed a complaint on January 31 with the Vijayanagar Police that he received threat calls during the weekend demanding Rs 1.5 crore, known as “protection” money, and it was supposed to be paid within 10 days. The caller, claiming to be Poojari, told Nataraja that he knows about his business projects across India and his associates are keeping a close eye on his movements. The caller also threatened Nataraja with dire consequences if he did not pay up.

A senior police officer told DH that Poojari’s associates identify wealthy targets and watch them and their family’s movements. They even find out the target’s children’s school addresses, school timings and other details. After a thorough recce, threat calls are made to intimidate the target.

“Several wealthy businessmen, especially ones who have hoarded black money and offered ‘protection’ money to Poojari, have not lodged complaints against him,” the officer said. “It will be a herculean task for the state police to completely wipe out his associates who have a strong presence and networking across all important cities, including Bengaluru,” said the senior police officer.

Even if he (Poojari) is arrested, there will be a second-in-command to take over his syndicate and at the same time explore legal options to bail him out, the officer added.