Threat letters in Lawrence Bishnoi gang's name demand Rs 80 lakh from eight Itwari jewellers

Threatening letters sent in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have demanded a total of Rs 80 lakh from eight bullion traders of Itwari in Nagpur. Police have now found a fresh lead: according to them, the letters were posted from a post box in the Khamla area.

Police investigation found that the letters were posted on different days, October 20, 21 and 22. From there they reached the Trimurtinagar post office and were then sent to the traders' addresses in Itwari. Police officers said that when the earlier links in the postal network were traced, it emerged that the letters had gone from the Khamla post box. Police are now examining activity around the post box and trying to establish who dropped the envelopes there.

Tehsil police have registered a case against unknown accused. The complaint was filed by Nehal Tinkhede, a resident of Nandanvan and owner of Durga Jewellers on New Itwari Road. According to him, a woman came to his shop between about 3 pm and 3.30 pm on October 31. She asked for Rs 10 to buy postage stamps and handed him an envelope. After she left, the envelope was opened and found to contain seven more envelopes and a threatening letter. The envelopes bore the names and addresses of other bullion traders in the Gandhibagh area.

The writer of the letter claimed links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang's shooters in Mumbai. Rs 10 lakh was demanded from each trader, with three days given to pay. The letter threatened to slit the throats of the traders and their family members if they did not pay. It also warned of serious consequences if they went to the police. The letter further said a "Jai Shri Ram" poster should be put up on the gate after the money was deposited. Panic has spread among traders over eight of them being targeted at once.

Following the threat, office-bearers and members of the Nagpur Sarafa Association held an important meeting on Monday with DCP Rahul Madne and Sanjay Mende, PI of Tehsil police station. The police assured full cooperation on security. The DCP, who attended in person, said there would be no lapse in security arrangements. Police personnel have been deployed, and whoever the accused are will be traced and arrested at the earliest. Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar also called and sought details of the case, and assured that the police department would bring it to a swift conclusion and take appropriate action.

Police have appealed to the public to inform the association or the police immediately if they have any information related to the case. It also emerged at the meeting that about a month and a half ago, a similar letter was received by Bhujade of Mahalaxmi Jewellers under Pratap Nagar police station. It was said that had an FIR been registered and action taken then, the eight jewellers might not have faced this situation.

The most important thread of the investigation is now the Khamla post box. Police are also trying to establish whether the senders are actually linked to the Bishnoi gang, or are using the gang's name to frighten traders and extort money.