Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Guwahati police busted a 39-year-old extortionist at his Bonda home. Officers arrested Avik Das, also known as Abhimanyu Das, following a violent shakedown. The victim, Bishan Sonowal, told police he was held at gunpoint and forced to pay cash. The trouble started after a business venture soured.
Sonowal worked at the BPO firm owned by Das last June. Tensions boiled over on June 28 when Das lured the victim to his house. He pulled a pistol and fired a shot near the victim's feet. He beat him. He demanded 5.5 lakh rupees in extortion money. Sonowal transferred 3 lakh rupees on the spot. Das kept the man's car as collateral for the rest.
Pragjyotishpur police moved fast. They filed Case No. 82/26 on July 2 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. A raid on the residence turned up an arsenal. Police seized a Cheetah pistol, a bolt-action rifle, two other rifles, and over 360 rounds of live ammo. They also found 80 spent casings and a Toyota Hilux.
Investigators are looking into an arms license from Nagaland found on-site. Police confirmed Das is a serial offender. He has four previous charge sheets in Guwahati, Golaghat, and Goalpara districts. A senior officer stated, "Investigators are currently verifying the authenticity of the Nagaland-issued arms licence and probing possible illegal arms procurement channels that may be linked to the accused's alleged criminal activities." The investigation continues.
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