Delhi: From jail cell, Soumya Vishwanathan killers extort businessman

NEW DELHI: Amit Shukla and Naveen Dabas, who are serving life term in connection with the murder of Soumya Vishwanathan, have been arrested along with six others for trying to extort around Rs 2.5 crores from a businessman in Central Delhi.
Shukla was allegedly using a mobile phone to make WhatsApp calls to the other accused. Dabas’ associate had called up the businessman in February asking him to pay the money, but when he refused they reached his residence and opened fire at him.The bullet hit the victim and his 12-year old nephew.

Sanjay Bhatia, DCP, Central said: “The accused have been identified as Amit Shukla (42), Naveen Dabas (30), Varun Vashisht (23), Lakhan Verma (28), Sushil (27), Nitesh Phore (25), Ankit (23) and Abhay Arora (27). They are all criminals of the Neeraj Bawania gang. We recovered a pistol, three live cartridges, a scooter and five mobiles phones from them.”
According to police, a call about firing in a house at Old Rajinder Nagar was received on February 23. The victim told the cops that he received WhatApp calls from an unknown person who demanded for Rs 2.5 crores. The caller even threatened to kill him. When the victim did not pay heed, two men came to his house and fired thrice on February 23. One of the accused recorded the incident.
“Sushil had even gone to the jail to meet Shukla and Dabas. Dabas had roped in Ankit, Varun and Nitesh. Dabas asked the trio to fire outside the house of the businessman. Later, the recording was sent to the two lodged in jail who then forwarded it to Sushil who asked for Rs five lakh as token money. Some part of the money was given as well.”
Raj Kumar, DIG Tihar, said: “After we received information from the police, his cell phone was recovered and seized.”
Investigations revealed that the number of the businessman was shared with the accused by Abhay Arora, who was the victim’s former partner and wanted to take revenge after the failure of a joint business. He was later arrested from Palam Vihar.