Police bust extortion racket being run form Tihar jail

Police have busted an extortion racket that was being run from inside the Tihar Jail by an inmate following a complaint from a Karol Bagh-based businessman, an official said on Sunday.

The main accused was identified as Mahesh (39), who is lodged in the Tihar Jail since 2014. His two associates were identified as Bhanu Pratap (21), a resident of Sangam Vihar, and Ashok Kumar (40), a resident of Karol Bagh, they said.

Police said while Mahesh used to allegedly demand money from builders and businessmen over the phone from inside the jail, his men from outside used to threaten the targets on his directions until payment was received.

The matter came to light in November last year after Jugal Kishore, who is in the construction business, reported that he had received WhatsApp calls from Mahesh who demand extortion of Rs 20 lakh in installments of Rs 50,000, according to police.

However, when Kishore refused to pay, two men fired outside his house. Mahesh then called him again and threatened him to pay, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sanjay Bhatia said Mahesh's associates were arrested from their hideouts in Karol Bagh recently. They confessed that they were working for Mahesh, he said.