Trader gets extortion call from gangster, shots fired outside shop

Amritsar, August 24

A garment and cosmetics trader at Chowk Mehta got an extortion call from Portugal-based notorious gangster Manpreet Singh alias Munn Ghanshampuria and his accomplice Billa Arjanmanga.

His unknown accomplices fired outside the shop of the victim, identified as Kamal Arora of Mehta Chowk, here yesterday. Besides Manpreet and Billa Arjanmanga, their three unknown accomplices were booked by the police.

In his complaint lodged with the police, the victim had claimed that the accused demanded Rs 40 lakh in extortion from him. Kamal Arora told the police that four days ago, he got a call on WhatsApp and the caller identified himself as Billa Arjanmanga, a member of Gopi Ghanshampuria gang.

He said Manpreet Ghanshampuria, brother of Gopi Ghanshampuria, was calling him but he was not picking up the phone and demanded Rs 40 lakh in extortion money. He threatened him with dire consequences if he did not give the money.

He said the next day, Billa called on the phone of his son Prashu Arora. When he did not pick up, he received a voice message that if they did not cough up the money, he should be ready to face the consequences.

He said yesterday when he along with his son and other staff was present at the shop, three persons with their faces covered came on a bike and fired gunshots at them. Two gunshots hit near the cash counter where he was sitting. They immediately took shelter behind the counter to save themselves. The accused later fled towards Mehta side.

This is the second case in which Manpreet has been booked. Earlier, the police had arrested his three accomplices who had fired at a book store owner and demanded Rs 50 lakh in extortion money on August 16.