Threatening text to ex-DUSU president sent using VPN

A threatening message to former Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president Ronak Khatri demanding Rs 5 crore extortion was sent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) through social media messaging app WhatsApp and the number was traced to Ukraine, according to a police official. The account was later deleted, the official added.

On September 30, Khatri claimed to have received Rs 5 crore extortion threat from a person pretending to be gangster Rohit Godara. He had also lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police in this regard.

Investigators said the threat seems to be hoax. However, detailed investigation in the case is still underway.

The threat call was made using a VPN, which he did not answer. Shortly after, he received a WhatsApp message from the same number reiterating the demand and the death threat, an official said.

A purported photo of the chat also went viral on social media, where the person could be seen demanding Rs 5 crore from Khatri.

On the same day, Khatri lodged an online complaint with Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North), stating, “I received a threat call from an international number around 12:44 pm on September 29. The caller, claiming association with gangster Rohit Godara, demanded an extortion money of Rs 5 crore. He threatened to kill me if the money is not paid.”

He had urged the police to provide immediate protection and initiate an action under the relevant Sections of the IPC and the IT Act.