J-K Police busts extortionist gang in Budgam

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a gang of extortionists by arresting five extortionists involved in the commission of a crime in Budgam.

The extorted cash, cellphone and other materials used in the commission of crime have also been recovered from their possession, a police spokesman said in a statement as per the news agency KNO.

“Police in Budgam received several complaints regarding a gang of extortionists operating in Beerwah area of Budgam. Accordingly, a case vide FIR №98/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered in PS Beerwah and investigation was initiated,” police said, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that the modus operandi of the gang was to call some person(s) to their home and then put him under threat by pointing knives etc. towards him and rob him of his belongings.

“Also, the gang used to capture a video of the victim with a lady in compromising position etc. who happens to be the wife of one of the gang members and then start demanding money in lieu of threat of releasing the said video,” it said.

After strenuous efforts, the police arrested all the accused persons involved in the commission of the crime and have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (house owner) son of Gh Nabi, resident of Hanjiguru; Rouf Ahmad Dar alias Kantroo son of Ab Rashid; Mushtaq Ahmad Khan alias Jamal son of Gh Hassan, both residents of Arizal; Farooq Ahmad Ganai son of Ramzan Ganai, resident of Kralnewa and a lady (name withheld).

“On their disclosure, cellphone, cash and other materials snatched from the complainant and knives used to threaten the complainant have been recovered at the instance of the accused. Moreover, some cellphones of the accused with objectionable videos/photos and other material have also been seized in the instant case,” police said, adding that further investigation into the case is going on.