A high-profile case of extortion has surfaced in Jalandhar, with terrorist Lakhbir Singh demanding an initial amount of Rs 2 crore from a businessman residing in the upscale area of Model Town. The accused, in collaboration with associates Satvir Singh and Satwinder Singh, threatened to kill the businessman if the demanded sum was not paid. The threat was communicated via an internet call, further intensifying the gravity of the situation.
The police have registered a case against Lakhbir Singh, a resident of village Harike in Tarn Taran, and his associates based on the statement of Sub-Inspector Balwinder Kumar. According to the information provided, the businessman received a WhatsApp call from Satvir Singh, who identified himself as an associate of Lakhbir Singh and Satwinder Singh. During the call, Satvir Singh issued the threat and demanded the extortion money. The businessman, fearing for his life, requested the police to keep his identity confidential.
An investigation has been launched by the police, utilizing advanced technical tools to trace the origin of the internet call. Preliminary findings suggest that Satvir Singh is currently hiding somewhere in Punjab and is managing Lakhbir Singh's extortion network. The police are intensifying their efforts to locate and apprehend the suspects involved.
This incident is not an isolated one. Approximately 20 days ago, another extortion demand was made from a prominent businessman in Jalandhar's Leather Complex. In that case, the Jalandhar City Police arrested several individuals, including Gurpreet Singh, Gopi, Jagroop Singh Jhupa, Bhupendra Singh, and Bunty. These individuals were residents of Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur, respectively. They were charged under relevant sections for their involvement in extortion and other criminal activities. Commissioner of Police Sparsh Sharma mentioned that substantial evidence was recovered from the accused, indicating their connections with Lakhbir Singh. The suspects admitted to planning extortion from other prominent businessmen in the city before their arrest.
Who is Lakhbhir Singh?
Lakhbir Singh, also known as Landa, is a resident of village Harike in Tarn Taran district near Amritsar. He fled to Canada in 2017 and engaged in various criminal activities, including attacks. Subsequently, he established contact with terrorist Rinda, who is based in Pakistan. Lakhbir Singh joined the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and started working with 23 rebels. His criminal portfolio expanded to include extortion, drug and arms smuggling, and the establishment of a terrorist module. Numerous criminal cases, such as attempted murder, extortion, drug smuggling, kidnapping, and possession of illegal arms, have been registered against him in various police stations across Punjab.