Bishnoi-name extortion letters: case filed after 8-10 Nagpur bullion traders asked for Rs 10 lakh each

A case has been registered at Tehsil police station after between eight and 10 bullion traders in Nagpur's Itwari market received threatening letters by post, each demanding Rs 10 lakh in the name of the alleged Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The letters began arriving about five days ago. Two traders got them first, and similar ones reached other traders in the following days. The sender has not given any identity, and the letters were posted from different post offices at different times. The threats came neither by phone nor by online message.

The letters say that a trader who does not pay, or who goes to the police, will be killed along with his entire family. They also speak of shooting. Some traders were reportedly given three days to arrange the money and others five. It is also reported that the traders were warned of an attack like the recent firing at actor Tiger Shroff, and the fear of the gang has grown since that incident.

A trader who is ready to pay is told to put up a "Jai Shri Ram" poster, or write the slogan, outside his shop. According to the letters, that will signal his readiness, after which someone from the sender's side will contact him. The place and manner of delivering the money are to be communicated later. The stream of letters has unsettled the market, and some traders are reported to be afraid even to go to their shops.

The timing is a heavy worry for the trade. With Diwali near, footfall and business in the bullion market begin to rise, and the festival season is important for the gold and silver trade.

Traders took their complaint to senior police officers through association office-bearers. Rajesh Rokde, president of the bullion association and national president of the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), brought the matter to the notice of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil was also informed. The association has demanded full protection for bullion traders and immediate steps to prevent such incidents. Mr Rokde has appealed to traders to contact the association if they receive any such letter, and has said no one needs to panic. Questions are also being raised about law and order, since the threats are reaching traders in the chief minister's own city.

The state government has taken note. Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar said the government had taken cognisance of the letters, and that the police have been directed to investigate immediately and trace the accused.

On Monday, the bullion association held a meeting in the Itwari area, attended by traders and senior police officers. The traders voiced concern for their safety and asked for more police deployment in the market. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madne assured them of security, and said the entire bullion area would be kept under watch and additional arrangements made in view of Diwali.

Investigators have found an important lead. About 15 days ago, a bullion trader in Pratap Nagar received a similar threatening letter in a sweet box. Its handwriting is said to resemble that of the Itwari letters, which has led to the suspicion that one person is posting them from different post offices. Police are examining the handwriting and the way the letters were sent. They are also checking whether the Bishnoi gang has any real role. Police believe a local anti-social element may have used the gang's name to spread panic and extort a large sum. The sender has not been traced so far.

Police have asked traders not to panic but to stay alert, and to report any threatening letter, call or message at once.