SIT to be set up to tackle underworld extortion calls

The State government has decided to set up Special Investigation Team (SIT) to tackle underworld extortion calls in the State, especially in Dakshina Kannada district. 

Home Minister K J George on Monday held a high level meeting with senior police officials in this regard and assured that stringent measures will be taken to curb the menace. 

“A Special Investigating Team will be formed soon to tackle with the growing underworld extortion calls. Since the calls are originating from abroad, assistance from the Centre and Interpol will also be taken. People from Coastal Karnataka must inform police about the calls being received and we assure their identities will not be divulged,” George said after the meeting. 

The meeting was attended by Health Minister U T Khader, State DG and IGP Lalrokhuma Pachau and ADGP (Law and Order) M N Reddi. Three realtors from Mangalore also attended the meeting. 

Soaring areca price

A senior police official said that in the last few months around 15 cases have been registered against underworld criminals for making extortion calls. With arecanut price skyrocketing, some farmers are also receiving extortion calls, the official added.

Eye on undertrials

Sources said that there are two major players in the extortion crimes - Ravi Poojari and Bannanje Raja. The duo who make VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) calls and later send some budding criminals to the targets’ offices to instill fear. 

The Dakshina Kannada police have been told to keep a watch on the undertrials who get bail under unnatural circumstances.

“There are instances in which victims have succumbed to threats and paid the money. There are several unregistered cases and sometimes realtors have approached the police after receiving the call from the second criminal,” an official said.

Petty criminals

Police suspect that one Kali Yogish, who used to be working with Ravi Poojari, has parted ways. “Of late, Kali Yogish has been making calls dropping his own name. It seems he has started making calls independently. We are making all efforts to track down the petty criminals who are recruited by these underworld criminals. In some cases, it is found that the underworld criminals are using small time offenders to drop in at victim’s office to threaten in person,” the official said.