A special CBI court handed down a three-year prison sentence to Ashwini Kumar, a resident of Delhi, and his accomplice Rajesh Ranjan. The duo was convicted of extorting Rs 50 lakhs from businessman Satish Panchariya in 2013, masquerading as CBI officials. Despite Kumar's 83% disability, he was permitted to participate in the judgment proceedings via video conferencing. The convicted pair faced additional charges of extorting funds from renowned Bollywood filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and numerous others, all under the guise of CBI officers. Their illicit activities reportedly amassed an estimated sum ranging between Rs 20 to Rs 30 crore. ALSO READ: Vivek Oberoi's Business Partner Sanjay Saha Arrested On Charges Of Duping The Actor Of Rs 1.55 Crore Last Year; Accused's Mother Denied Interim Protection By Mumbai's Sessions Court
On February 8, 2022, the special court issued a three-year imprisonment sentence to Ranjan. The trial for Kumar had been separated on December 1, 2021, due to his bedridden state, making him unable to comprehend proceedings. After a three-year interval, as Kumar showed signs of recovery, the court resumed the proceedings, recording his statement last month. In an unusual move on Monday, the Bombay High Court granted an exception, permitting Kumar to participate in the court proceedings through video conferencing.
The charges against Kumar and Ranjan claimed that during the pertinent period, Kumar served as the director of Alka India Pvt Ltd Co, engaged in the textile business. The complainant's brother was a businessperson overseas. The CBI summoned the complainant and his driver for an investigation linked to RP Meena. Fearing the situation, the complainant promptly alerted his family and friends.
A friend of the complainant engaged with Ranjan, who portrayed himself as a CBI officer, assuring resolution with the help of his colleague in Delhi. Following this, Ranjan orchestrated a meeting with Kumar. The pair initially demanded Rs 1 crore, but after discussions, the sum was reduced to Rs 50 lakh. Ranjan communicated to the complainant and his brother that a payment of Rs 50 lakh was needed to settle matters with Kumar. At that juncture, both Ranjan and Kumar assured them that the case would be confined to Delhi, without any transfer to Mumbai, and would be resolved locally.
Following that, Kumar persistently pursued and intimidated the complainant, warning that refusal to meet his demand for Rs50 lakh would result in the CBI implicating him in multiple criminal cases. Eventually, driven by fear, the family succumbed and made the payment in July 2011.
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