Diamond bizman involved in extortion racket held

Surat: A diamond trader was arrested from Mumbai airport on Monday for his alleged involvement in an extortion racket.

The accused Vasant Patel allegedly took help of a city-based gang to recover Rs 90 lakh from another businessman. Police had earlier issued a lookout notice against him following which he was stopped by Mumbai airport authorities and arrested.

Police also arrested one Bharat Sharma, an Ahmedabad-based history-sheeter, for allegedly making extortion call to complainant Manish Savaliya, a Surat-based businessman.

Cops suspect role of notorious Manish Kukri gang that was allegedly involved in murder of a teenager in Varachha.

Patel spends majority of time in Africa, police said, adding that he was being brought to Surat by a team of city police.

According to police, Savaliya had received threat calls from Sharma recently. He was demanding Rs 90 lakh. Sharma had allegdly told Savaliya that he was making the call on behalf of Patel. Manish had the amount due from Patel. Initially Savaliya did not believe the threats and argued with Sharma. Later, Sharma put Savaliya on conference call with Patel for confirmation.

"Following the threat calls Sharma, who is associate of Manish Kukri gang, was arrested. During questioning he named Patel. We feared that Patel would escape to Africa," said Ashish Bhatia, city police commissioner.

Manish Kukri and his other associates are currently in jail for alleged murder of a teenager.


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