Unease in Muktsar over fresh extortion calls

Amid growing fear in the region following the July 7 murder of leading businessman Sanjay Verma in Abohar, fresh cases of extortion threats have surfaced, with many victims scared to even approach the police.

In the latest incident, Parminder Singh, a computer teacher at Government High School at Lakkarwala village here, has reportedly received a threat call from a man claiming to be Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar. The caller demanded Rs 5 lakh from him.

Parminder said the first call came on Wednesday morning from an international number. “The caller identified himself as Goldy Brar from Surrey, Canada. He said someone informed him that I had lots of money and warned me to pay Rs 5 lakh or face dire consequences,” Parminder said.

Despite ignoring four subsequent calls, the threats escalated. “Later, I received a message from another number stating that this was the last message,” he said.

The teacher and his wife, who is also a government employee, have taken leave from duty. Their child, too, has not attended the school for the past three days. Malout DSP Iqbal Singh said, “One person has been arrested in this regard. His connection with gangsters will be verified during questioning.”

Meanwhile, a senior politician from the Malwa region said a party colleague, who was a leading businessman, was recently warned by gangsters to abandon a land deal. “No one feels safe anymore. The fear of gangsters is spreading fast, and many are staying silent out of fear,” he said.

A businessman from Fazilka district added, “I had booked a car last month, which is ready for delivery, but I am not taking it. There is a growing sense among businessmen to keep a low profile in the wake of Verma’s murder.”