Former Punjab Deputy CM OP Soni gets ‘extortion’ calls

Amritsar, June 22

Former Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni has claimed to have received repeated threat and extortion calls from three different phone numberson his WhatsApp number over the past two days.

In his complaint to the police, Soni has provided the three numbers and claimed that the caller also demanded extortion money from him.

His nephew Vikas Soni said, “Though the caller did not disclose his name, he used the picture of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on the three phone numbers used to make calls.”

“The caller asked us to arrange Rs 10 lakh and said the amount will have to be deposited in a bank account the details of which will be providedlater,” he said.

“He threatened him (Soni) of dire consequences in case he failed to pay the money. We have brought the matter to the notice of the police. How can anyone feel secure under such a deteriorating law and order situation in the state?” he said.

The Cantonment police have registered an FIR under Sections 387 and 506 of the IPC in the case.

Confirming the development, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rashpal Singh said the accused claimed to be associated with the Bishnoi gang. He said the money was being demanded at the behest of Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar. “Our teams are trying to trace the phone numbers from which the calls were made,” Rashpal Singh said.

On June 18, formerSAD legislator Amarpal Singh Bony Ajnala had allegedly received aWhatsApp call from one Bhinda, claiming to be a member of the Bishnoi gang. He had allegedly demanding Rs 2.5 lakh as “protection money”.

Three days later, Ajnala resident Rakesh Bedi lodged a complaint with the police that a person who identified himselfas gangster Vicky Brar had sought the contact number of Bony Ajnala from him. As he did not entertain him, the caller sent him a voice message asking him to convey to Bony Ajnala to cough up Rs 5 lakh.