RANJHI police have arrested two persons for demanding Rs 10,000 by threatening and assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver and his friends. A country-made pistol and a live cartridge were also seized from one of the accused. SHO of Ranjhi police station Umesh Kumar Golhani, a case was registered on September 19 following a complaint by Ayush Rajput (21), a resident of Indiranagar. Rajput informed the police that he reached Dhobighat with his friends Praveen Thakur and Sohel Khan. The accused, identified as Vishal Thakur alias Panda and two accomplices, approached them and demanded Rs 10,000 for expenses, claiming that Rajput was earning well by driving an auto-rickshaw. When he refused, they abused and assaulted him with sticks. His friends were also beaten when they intervened. The accused threatened to kill them if they failed to pay the money.

 

During patrolling on the night of September 20, police noticed Vishal Thakur alias Panda (25), on Shantinagar Road, Karondi. He tried to hide on seeing the police but was apprehended. A country-made pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from his possession. During questioning, he informed police that he had purchased the firearm from a person named Tarun Patel for Rs 23,000 around two months ago. A case was registered against him under Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Vishal was also arrested in the extortion and assault case. During interrogation, he named Ayush Samudre (24), of Indiranagar-Dhobighat and Hrithik alias Ninja as his accomplices. Ayush was subsequently arrested while police are searching for Hrithik. Police said Vishal has seven previous cases registered against him, including under the Arms Act, extortion, assault, Explosives Act and theft.