Nagpur transporter's Fortuner set on fire after he refused to pay extortion money
A BJP office-bearer and transport businessman's SUV parked outside his home in Jaripatka was torched in the early hours of October 10; police have booked three men.
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Nagpur: Criminals set fire to a Fortuner parked in front of the house of a BJP office-bearer and transport businessman, in a year-long feud over his refusal to pay extortion money. The incident took place in the early hours of October 10 in Misal Layout under the Jaripatka police station limits. The transporter and his family are in a state of fear. Despite repeated complaints, the police have taken no action, creating the risk of bloodshed in North Nagpur at any time.
The complainant, Simarjeet Singh Multani, is a transporter. He has had a year-long feud with the criminal Sukhraj Singh Randhawa and his associates. According to Multani's complaint, Randhawa and his associates have been threatening to kill him to extort money. Multani had lodged complaints with the police from time to time, but the police took no action. Twenty days ago, Sukhraj Randhawa and Agrej Singh alias Arjun Gattarode threatened to kill him if he did not pay money. Given the police's earlier attitude, Multani did not file a complaint.
In the early hours of October 10, Multani heard the horn of the Fortuner (MH/40/CQ/4545) parked in front of his house. When he stepped out, he saw the Fortuner on fire. He immediately called Dial-112 and reported the incident. Jaripatka police reached the spot. Multani checked a neighbour's CCTV camera, which showed three youths on a moped setting the Fortuner on fire and leaving. On inquiry, the youths who set the fire were identified as Parvinder alias Arjun Pritam Singh Gattarode (30), Sebi Gotra (36) of Baba Buddhaji Nagar and Dimpy Saini (34) of Kapil Nagar. Multani lodged a complaint at Jaripatka police station, on the basis of which police have registered a case against the three.
According to sources, the accused have been out to harm Multani and those associated with him for a long time. Eight months ago, the victims had also complained of extortion at Kapil Nagar police station, but Kapil Nagar police took no action. A month ago, the victim also complained to Ramesh Dhumal, DCP of Zone 6, but again no action was taken. This emboldened the criminals. They set Multani's Fortuner on fire at the behest of Sukhraj Singh Randhawa.
In February, transporter Goldy Kaler was subjected to a murderous attack at Automotive Chowk. Sukhraj Randhawa, Sagar Gattarode, his brother Arjun Gattarode and their associates are involved in that incident. Sagar has been granted anticipatory bail, while Arjun is said to be absconding since the case was registered. That the Fortuner was set on fire with the help of his associates despite his absconding is extremely serious. Multani says Randhawa and his associates enjoy police protection, which is why no action is being taken against them.
