Surat, May 20 (IANS) The Surat Crime Branch has arrested a wanted accused carrying a reward of Rs 1.5 lakh in connection with multiple cases of extortion, attempted murder and Arms Act offences registered across Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Anand Singh alias Sholay Singh alias Sachin Singh (26), was apprehended near the Biodiversity Park gate in the Khatodara area of Surat during an operation based on specific intelligence inputs.
Officials added that two country-made pistols and six live cartridges were recovered from his possession at the time of arrest.
The operation was conducted by the Anti-Organised Squad of the Crime Branch under the supervision of senior officers, following instructions to maintain law and order and take action against individuals illegally carrying weapons in the city.
According to officials, the accused is originally from Lakhauwa village in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh and was residing in Surat district’s Palsana. He had been under surveillance after inputs suggested his movement in the area.
Police said that the accused is wanted in five criminal cases registered in Uttar Pradesh, involving allegations of extortion, firing incidents and attempted murder.
These cases are registered in Pratapgarh and Jaunpur districts under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant laws.
In one case registered at Aaspur Devsara police station in Pratapgarh, the accused and his aides are alleged to have gone to the residence of a complainant and opened fire following a dispute linked to gang rivalry, firing three rounds of gunshots before fleeing the site.
In another case registered in Jaunpur’s Badlapur police station, the accused is alleged to have demanded a ransom of Rs one crore from the principal of a school over a phone call and later fired four rounds of gunshots at the school gate when the demand was not met.
In a separate case from the same area, police said the accused allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh from a medical practitioner in Baksha, and when the demand was refused, he and his aides opened fire, injuring the victim’s leg before fleeing.
In another incident, he is also accused of again targeting a school principal and firing two rounds of gunshots after issuing threats through phone calls in an attempt to enforce a ransom demand.
In a fifth case registered at Baksa police station, the accused allegedly demanded Rs two lakh from a bank manager under the suspicion of wrongful withdrawal of funds and threatened to kill the manager if the demand was not met before escaping from the spot.
Police also confirmed that the accused has a prior criminal history. In 2018, he was involved in a murder case in Jaunpur related to a land dispute, in which he was convicted and served a four-year prison sentence.
His record also includes cases under the Arms Act and preventive provisions related to anti-social activities, along with allegations of openly carrying weapons to create fear.
During interrogation, investigators said it emerged that the accused aimed to establish himself as a dominant criminal figure in Jaunpur district.
He is alleged to have formed a group known as the “Sholay gang” by recruiting other criminals.
According to the police, the group targeted traders and professionals across Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Baksha and Badlapur, using threats and firing incidents to demand extortion money running into crores of rupees.
Officials added that the accused allegedly used to issue threats through phone calls, change SIM cards frequently, and operate from locations 50 to 100 km away from his residence to avoid detection.
“He (accused) also frequently changed his place of stay and circulated videos of firing incidents to spread fear among victims and the public,” police said.
Investigators also noted that the accused had previously worked in Surat in tailoring and security jobs, which made him familiar with the city’s geography and helped him operate discreetly while evading arrest.
Police added that further investigation is underway to determine whether he had committed any offences or issued threats to traders or other individuals within Surat city.
Authorities said the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to curb organised criminal activity and illegal possession of firearms in the region, and further legal proceedings are underway.
–IANS
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