Hyderabad: Gang busted for extortion at gunpoint; 3 held with illegal firearm, 18 rounds
A country-made pistol, 18 live rounds and two magazines were seized from their possession.
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on organised extortion, the Commissioner’s Task Force (Golconda Zone), along with Masab Tank police, arrested three persons for allegedly using an illegal firearm to threaten investors and individuals demanding repayment of money.
A country-made pistol, 18 live rounds and two magazines were seized from their possession.
Accused identified
The arrested have been identified as:
- Mohd Afroz Baig alias Shakeel (46), a real estate businessman and proprietor of MAB Projects, residing in MLA Colony, Banjara Hills
- Teljeri Balakishan alias Balraj (30), a milk vendor from Boduppal in Ranga Reddy district
- Bittu Kumar alias Raju (30), originally from Patna, Bihar, currently working at a dairy unit in Bhuvanagiri
Weapon procured from Bihar
Police said Afroz Baig, who had investments in land parcels in Ibrahimpatnam and surrounding areas, allegedly conspired with Balakishan to procure an illegal firearm to intimidate investors and creditors.
Following Baig’s instructions, Balakishan contacted Bittu Kumar, who in turn arranged a country-made pistol and ammunition from a supplier identified as Gautam in Bihar.
The weapon was later brought to Hyderabad and retained by the accused.
Threats to investors and creditors
According to investigators, the trio used the firearm to threaten individuals who were demanding repayment of money, creating fear of death and thereby engaging in extortion.
Seizures made
Police recovered:
One country-made pistol (GL No. 9960/2024)
18 live rounds and two empty magazines
A red Maruti Brezza car (TS07FX1807)
Six mobile phones
One wooden hockey stick
A case has been registered at Masab Tank Police Station under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to illegal possession of firearms and extortion.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify other links and the source network of illegal arms supply.
