The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted an interstate gang trying to extort about Rs. 20 Crores from a president of Mumbai based company by impersonating as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials.
The gang was also threatening him by sending fake notices.
The police has arrested nine gang members, who were inspired by the movie “Special 26”.
The accused have been identified as Akhilesh Mishra, Darshan Harish Joshi, Vinod Kumar Patel, Dharmender Kumar Giri, Naresh Mahto, Asrar Ali, Vishnu Prasad, Devender Kumar Dubey and Gajender.
During the investigation, police have recovered 12 mobile phones and a car used in the commission of crime.
Special Commissioner of Police, Ravindra Singh Yadav said that Hardev Singh, a resident of Navi Mumbai and president of Nippon India Paints Limited (NIPL) received two notices from ED.
Further, his colleague was informed by Akhilesh Mishra that ED had registered a case against them and offered them help to sort out the matter with the help of his liaison in ED office, Delhi.
Later, the complainant again received the same notices through the speed post. When he contacted the accused persons, a ransom of Rs. 2-3 Crores was demanded initially by the accused.
This continued between 9 and 14 November, when accused Akhilesh Mishra, his son and Darshan Harish Joshi contacted the complainant several times and tried to put him in fear of ED.
On November 12, complainant met the accused, Akhilesh Mishra and Darshan Harish Joshi at Mumbai Airport gate and requested for help in cancelling the notice.
He sent both the accused to Delhi for negotiation and settlement of the notice. However, after reaching Delhi, the accused upped their demand to Rs. 20 Crores for negotiation.
On this, a complaint was given to the Crime Branch and investigation was taken up.
A police team immediately reached The Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi and apprehended both the accused. On their instance, police arrested three of their associates Vinod Kumar Patel, Dharmendra Kumar Giri and Naresh Mahto from the hotel’s other room.
Further, three more associates Asrar Ali, Vishnu Prasad and Devender Kumar Dubey were apprehended from the Khan Market area and one accused Gajender was apprehended from Taxi Stand, Nizammudin Bhogal.
Investigation in the matter is being carried out to ascertain more facts.