Four fake scribes held for extorting money from farmer

BHAVNAGAR: Four persons, who used to pose as journalists to extort money from a farmer, were arrested in Bhavnagar on Thursday. The accused were blackmailing Dharamsinh Pandav, a farmer in Monpar village near Bagdana town since the last fortnight.
Following a complaint lodged by Pandav's son Sanjay, police nabbed Sagar Rathod, 23, a native of Sihor, Mahendrasinh Jadeja, 35, and Sanjay Kantariya, both from Bhadli village and Lalsangh Boricha of Nari village.The four had first approached Pandav on September 9 as journalists and accused him of growing ganja (weed) in his farm. They threatened to expose him if he did not pay them Rs 2,000. Pandav believed them and gave Rs 2,000.
"The accused then started blackmailing him and on September 21 night, they asked him to pay Rs 50,000. When he refused to pay, they beat him up," said T S Rizvi, police sub inspector, Bagdana.
Pandav then told his son about the blackmailing and he lodged a complaint with the Bagdana police station.
All four were booked for extortion and criminal conspiracy.