Second encounter in extortion cases in a month by city police
Incident after grilling of jailed member of Rajasthan-based Rohit Godara gang
The fierce encounter of the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate with three members of the most wanted Rajasthan-based Rohit Godara gang members was a result of the questioning of gangster Shubham Grover who was recently brought on production warrant from the Ferozepur jail.
The encounter team was led by the Haibowal police station SHO inspector Varinder Uppal and Jagatpuri police post in-charge ASI Sukhwinder Singh. Pardeep Singh, head constable, had a miraculous escape as bullet grazed through his turban.
Pertinently, this is the second encounter in extortion cases by the Ludhiana police within a month as on December 12, a police team exchanged gunfire with two suspects in an extortion case in Vardhman Colony, who had come to collect extortion money in the name of the notorious Amrit Dalam group. One of the suspects sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was arrested while the other managed to escape from the scene. In the case, a goldsmith from Vishwakarma Nagar had received an extortion call and threat from a caller posing as member of the Amrit Dalam Group, which was linked with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, demanding ?1 crore.
A senior police official sharing information about the latest case said after firing at a readymade garment shop on the intervening night of January 5 and 6, it was totally a blind case for the police. The police had only a single lead that a caller posing as Mahinder Dhalana, a close aide of dreaded gangster Rohit Godara, had demanded Rs 50 lakh extortion from the owner of a garment shop.
As the police carried out a technical investigation and gathered intelligence, role of gangster Shubham Grover, a close aide of gangster Mahinder Dhalana, came into light. Following this, Shubham, who is a resident of Butana village, Sonipat district, Haryana, lodged in the Central Jail, Ferozepur, was brought on production warrant, arrested and named as a suspect in the case. During interrogation, he admitted that the incident of firing at the readymade shop in Civil City, Haibowal, was carried out at the behest of Dhalana who further sent Sumit, alias Ultron, alias Tunda (21), of New Prem Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Sanju (19) of Tank Mohalla and Sumit Kumar (19) of Dugri for firing at the shop.
CP Swapan Sharma told The Tribune that Sumit Kumar and Sanju suffered bullet injuries in the exchange of fire while third suspect Tunda was also rounded up. When asked about any monetary benefit the three suspects were supposed to get from Dhalana, CP replied that questioning of the suspects would give vital leads to the police about the network of gangster Dhalana and their gang’s kingpin Godara. There might be many youths enrolled by the gangster to carry out extortions and notorious criminals sitting in jails are also playing active role in carrying out the extortions. Though Godara has been hiding abroad, he has his men in jails and further network in Punjab and other states for carrying out extortions.
Meanwhile, police officials said gangster Shubham, lodged in a Ferozepur jail, was aware about the extortion demand raised by Dhalana. Questioning of Shubham has also given vital leads about the extortion network being run by gangsters while sitting in jails. The police have also identified several such gangsters and in coming days, they would be brought on production warrant for questioning.
Panic in Ladian-Jassian area after firing
After exchange of fire between the police and suspects, there was reportedly panic in the Ladian-Jassian area as police vehicles started coming to the place. The police cordoned off the stretch and no vehicular traffic was allowed to enter it.
Top cop vows tough stance against gangsters
CP Swapan Sharma reiterated the force’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks. Sending a “loud and clear” message to anti-national elements, Sharma stated that anyone opening fire or engaging in violence would face the full weight of the law.
