Ratlam Congress corporator gets Rs 25 lakh extortion call

INDORE: Ratlam Municipal Corporation (RMC) Congress corporator Mubarak Khan allegedly received a call demanding extortion money of Rs 25 lakh on Saturday night, triggering scare in the town. The 39-year-old corporator from Ward No. 29 of Ratlam town alleged that someone claiming as Lakhan rang him up on cell phone at 10 pm on Saturday asking for Rs 25 lakh.Complainant alleged that the caller threatened to kill him if he failed to give the money.
The extortion call assumed significance in wake of attempt to kill deputy leader of opposition in corporation and State Women Congress vice-president Yasmin Sherani at RMC gate on September 27.
The matter was subsequently reported at Ratlam's Station Road police station and the case of extortion was lodged against the caller under Section 386 of the IPC. The call was allegedly made to the Congress leader from cell phone number 9098107398.
"A case of extortion has been lodged and investigations are underway," Ratlam superintendent of police (SP) Dr Ashish told TOI.
It is the second time in six years when Mubarak Khan, son of slain RMC leader of opposition R R Khan, has allegedly received phone call for money. He had received a similar call six years ago. That time the man at the other end had claimed him Sudhakar Maratha, a notorious gangster. Maratha is presently lodged in a jail in Rajasthan. R R Khan, who was leader of opposition in RMC, was shot dead on corporation premises on October 14 in 2004. Yasmin was discharged three days ago from a private hospital in Indore after which the Ratlam police had recorded her statements in Ratlam. "No vital clues have been gathered in a case of attack on woman Congress leader," SP Ratlam said.
Two hours after attack on Yasmin, Bajrang Dal leader Kapil Rathore and his aide Pukhraj were shot dead by armed assailants near bus stand in Ratlam. Six accused, including prime accused and Yasmin's nephew Haidar Sherani have been arrested for murder of saffron outfit leader. Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from Ratlam town on Sunday. Town was under indefinite curfew from September 27 following the attack on woman Congress leader and murder of Bajrang Dal leader.