UP STF cracks down on extortion racket targeting Delhi-NCR entrepreneurs

UP STF has arrested three accused of a gang that was harassing entrepreneurs and extorting money from them by spreading news of false complaints against them in Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar districts of Delhi NCR region.

Noida: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested three individuals from a gang involved in extorting money from entrepreneurs and builders in Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar in Delhi-NCR. The accused face serious charges of causing financial loss and pressure to entrepreneurs by spreading false complaints.

Details of Arrested Accused

The arrested accused include:

• Ankur Gupta, son of the late Jai Bhagwan Gupta, Daryaganj, Delhi.
• Harnam Dhawan, son of Narendra Dhawan, Shastri Nagar, Delhi.
• Narendra Dhawan, son of the late Ghanshyam Lal, Shastri Nagar, Delhi.

The STF recovered four mobile phones, Rs 62,720 in cash, one US dollar, one fake Aadhaar card, and 17 postal receipts from the accused.

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Interrogation revealed that Ankur Gupta filed false complaints with various departments to harass entrepreneurs in Delhi and NCR. To extort money from builders, he recruited journalists from newspapers and YouTube channels into his gang.

Ankur Gupta stated that he is approximately 52 years old and a Class 12 graduate. He previously owned a clothing store in Daryaganj. When he was unable to repay a bank loan, he began filing complaints with various departments. He then adopted this tactic of harassing individuals to gain financial gain.

Arrest and Investigation Process

STF Noida received credible information that Ankur Gupta and his associates were harassing entrepreneurs and builders. They are accused of initially demanding Rs 15 crore (Rs 15 crore) in extortion money from builders, but later reduced the amount to Rs 5 crore (Rs 5 crore), a portion of which was recovered.

The STF summoned the accused from the public sector Sarai Rohilla, Delhi, for questioning and arrested them after a joint investigation with the Ghaziabad police.

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Impact and Damage Caused by the Accused

The actions of the accused delayed projects for several builders, resulting in financial losses and delays in home delivery for buyers. This also impacted the builders' reputation.

Projects specifically targeted included:

• The Amarylls (Ghaziabad, Indirapuram)
• Shipra and Saya Builder (Indirapuram)
• Harmony Builder (Chhaprola, Greater Noida)
• Keshavkunj Project (Greater Noida)

STF Statement

The STF stated that the gang attempted to intimidate and extort money from entrepreneurs through false news and complaints. Following the arrest of the accused, the investigation is ongoing and further action is being taken.