Ex-national hockey player overpowers extortionist

MUMBAI: A 63-year-old former national hockey player Balharsingh Basra overpowered an alleged extortionist of the Chhota Shakeel gang who had threatened him with a revolver at his office in Malad (East) recently.
Four persons barged into the office of Mr Basra who runs a gas agency in Prateek building on Nivetia Road and threatened the employees with a revolver.Two of them entered Mr Basra’s cabin and asked him to pay up Rs 1 lakh.
"They claimed to be members of the Chhota Shakeel gang,"Mr Basra said. "I told them that I did not have the cash, but the duo tried to attack me. In the melee, I pulled out a kirpan and assaulted one of the assailants. I managed to overpower him. His accomplice fled from the cabin."
Meanwhile, a few employees raised an alarm. Fearing that they would be caught, two other accomplices who were waiting outside the cabin also ran away.
The person caught by Mr Basra and handed over to the Dindoshi police was identified as Pramod More.
The police recovered a countrymade revolver from him. After interrogating him, a team led by inspector Madhukar Tupare arrested the three other associates. Their names were given as Vikram Panchal alias Raju, Jayesh Kadam alias Sanjay and Rahul Thapa. Mr Basra has been awarded a commendation certificate by additional police commissioner (north region) Madhu Shinde.
Mr Basra had played hockey for the Indian Navy at the national level for ten years.