Amritsar police arrest 2 in extortion, firing case

According to the police, the suspects had allegedly demanded Rs 1 crore from Rakesh Kumar, a former sarpanch and a commission agent, on the directions of foreign-based handlers.

After Rakesh refused to pay the extortion money and approached the police, the suspects allegedly opened indiscriminate fire outside his house in the Lopoke area on the night of September 11.

Their mobile phones were scanned and contacts of several miscreants and criminal elements were found. Investigators are now trying to ascertain whether the suspects were involved in other criminal activities as well.

ASI Harpal Singh said the interrogation of the suspects was underway and that efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang. The police are also investigating their links with foreign-based handlers.