Srinagar: Police in Baramulla have apprehended two individuals for trying to extort a sum of Rs 1 lakh from a family to secure the release of their kin detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
On July 03, 2023, Police Station Baramulla received a written complaint from one Faisal Bashir Saleh, son of Bashir Ahmad Saleh of Kanlibagh Baramulla, stating that two persons were threatening his family in a bid to extort money from them, police spokesperson said in a statement.
The two accused — Mudasir Ahmad Wani, son of Manzoor Ahmad Wani of Sangri Baramulla, and Yasir Rashid Rather, son of Abdul Rashid Rather, resident of Malpora Sheeri — claiming to be affiliated with a political party, had approached the Saleh’s family stating that they could get his father Bashir Ahmad Saleh, who was detained under PSA since 2022, released if they paid them Rs one lakh. But owing to their poor financial condition, the family was unable to meet the monetary demand made by the accused.
Meanwhile, a court quashed Bashir Ahmad Saleh’s PSA and he was set free by the authorities. However, thereafter the accused again approached the family demanding money while claiming that Saleh had been released following their intervention, police said.
As the family denied to pay them anything, the accused persons started threatening them that they will have to face serious repercussions, and that they will get Saleh detained afresh.
The family somehow managed Rs 10,000 and gave it to the accused, but they continued to demand Rs one lakh.
One this complaint, a case (FIR No. 134/2023) under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Baramulla, and both the accused persons were apprehended and subsequently arrested for their alleged involvement in extortion, police said.