Crime – Madhya Pradesh Police Forms SIT to Probe Extortion Threat Cases
Crime – The Madhya Pradesh Police has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine a series of extortion threats targeting businessmen across the state. These threats, reportedly issued in the name of a gang associated with Lawrence Bishnoi and his aide Harry Boxer, have surfaced in multiple districts over the past month, raising serious concerns among the business community.
SIT Constituted Under Senior Supervision
The decision to form the SIT was taken by Director General of Police Kailash Makwana in response to the growing number of complaints. The team will function under the supervision of the Additional Director General of Police (Special Task Force), ensuring close monitoring and coordination.
The nine-member SIT includes officers from various ranks to strengthen the investigation. DIG-level officer Rahul Lodha, currently serving as Superintendent of Police (Railways) in Bhopal, will be a key member. The team also comprises three SP-rank officers—Rajesh Bhadoriya, Navin Chaudhary from the STF, and Vaibhav Srivastava from the Anti-Terrorism Squad headquarters in Bhopal—along with an Additional SP and four Deputy SP-level officers.
Six Cases Registered Across Multiple Districts
According to police records, six separate cases have been filed based on complaints from businessmen who received threats through WhatsApp calls and voice messages. These incidents have been reported from Indore, Khargone, Bhopal, and Ashoknagar.
The cases were registered by different police units, including the Indore Crime Branch, Tukoganj and Kishanganj-Mhow police stations in Indore, Kasrawad police station in Khargone, Kolar Road police station in Bhopal, and Ashoknagar Kotwali.
Authorities believe the threats were issued using the name of Harry Boxer, also known as Hari Chand Jaat, who is allegedly linked to the Bishnoi gang and is believed to be operating from abroad.
Arrests Made and Key Suspect Identified
So far, the police have arrested three individuals in connection with the cases. The accused include 19-year-old Manish Jangid and Dinesh Suthar from Rajasthan, along with Pawan Sharma from Bhind district.
Meanwhile, Ashoknagar police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Pradip Shukla, who is suspected to be a significant operative in the network.
Possible Interstate and Gang Links
Investigators are also examining a potential connection to Ritik Boxer, who is believed to be a close associate of Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi. Ritik Boxer is currently lodged in a high-security prison in Ajmer.
Police officials have indicated that the pattern of threats suggests coordination beyond state borders. In a related development, a businessman from Satna reportedly approached Mumbai police after receiving similar threats, further pointing to a wider network.
Coordination With Other States
The Special Task Force of Madhya Pradesh Police has already been working in coordination with law enforcement agencies in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Officials say the formation of a dedicated SIT will streamline efforts, improve intelligence sharing, and accelerate the investigation.
Authorities also suspect that not all victims have come forward, which could mean the scale of the issue is larger than currently known. Police have urged businessmen to report any such threats immediately to ensure timely action.
Focus on Speed and Accountability
With the SIT now in place, all case files and related documents from the concerned districts will be transferred to the team for centralized investigation. The move is expected to bring consistency and speed to the probe while identifying the full extent of the network behind these threats.
Senior officials remain confident that the coordinated approach will help dismantle the operation and prevent further incidents, while also reassuring the business community of their safety.