Barnala, March 8: A brick kiln owner’s attempt to feign a security threat has resulted in his arrest along with four others following a detailed probe by the Barnala police. The group is accused of fabricating a series of extortion demands to mislead authorities into providing personal security detail for the businessman.
The case began when Shivam Mittal informed police that he was being targeted by international criminals demanding Rs 20 lakh. He asserted that he received multiple audio messages and calls via WhatsApp starting in late February. SSP Md Sarfaraz Alam noted that upon tracking the mobile numbers, the police discovered the threats were originating from associates of the businessman rather than overseas gangsters.
“The plan had been orchestrated by an employee who provided the mobile number and arranged funds to facilitate the calls,” the SSP declared. He stated that the investigation further implicated the kiln owner and his driver as the masterminds who sought to gain the status of being under threat.
The police have registered a formal case at the City Barnala police station, citing violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Along with the five arrests, law enforcement officers seized a firearm and two live cartridges during the operation.
Efforts to apprehend a sixth suspect, identified as Amit Saini, are currently underway. The SSP maintained that the department remains vigilant against such attempts to manipulate police resources through fabricated reports.
