Fake special operations group men held for extorting 1.5L from family

Rajkot: Two persons who posed as Surat special operations group (SOG) policemen and extorted Rs 1.5 lakh from a family were arrested on Mavdi Road.
Fayzal Pathan, 20, a resident of Jetpur town and Brijesh Pandya, 24, a resident of Shakti Society on Saint Kabir Road in the city, were nabbed following a tip-off.
The duo, who were assisted in the crime by seven others, had abducted the wife and daughter of Sanjay Pau, a resident of Triveninagar area on Monday evening.
"Four persons introducing themselves as SOG cops, came to Pau's house and told him that his wife Geeta had stolen sarees from shops in Surat. On the pretext of investigation, they took Geeta and her daughter Nayna in their car to a nearby place. They demanded Rs 1.5 lakh if they wanted to escape further police action," said G M Hadia, investigating officer, Malviyanagar police station.
After the family paid them Rs 1.5 lakh, they released them.
After the incident, Pau, a driver by profession, approached police and lodged a complaint. Questioning of the duo revealed that nine persons, including three women, were involved in the crime. The other persons were identified as included Raviraj Rana, Bhavesh Visariya, Afsal Balani, Shefi Solanki, Guddi Rana, Shobhna and unidentified woman among others.
"Primary details suggest the gang members carried out some recce about the family. Then they decided to pose as policemen personnel to extort money. We will soon nab other accused. It seems they are involved in similar crimes," Hadia added.