Man extorts gold from jeweller, held

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 28

The police have arrested a goldsmith, Gurmukh Singh, a resident of Palah Sahib road, for illegally detaining and extorting another jeweller. He is said to be a proclaimed offender in a cheque bounce case.

His wife, brother-in-law Bachittar Singh and six unknown persons have also been booked. A case under Sections 342, 384, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC and 25, 54, 59 under the Arms Act has been registered.

Complainant Nishan Singh owns a jewellery shop at Tahli Wala Bazaar on the Sultanwind road. He said he came in contact with Gurmukh Singh around two months ago and he started taking gold material from him. On Thursday, he along with his cousin Sukhwinder Singh went to the accused’s residence after receiving a call. “They tied us, took out a pistol to threaten us. Gurmukh directed me to call jewellers in my area and ask them to hand over the gold ornaments they have to his brother-in-law Bachittar Singh. I did so. On my assurance, the owner of my neighbouring shop also handed the gold ornaments to Bachittar. Bachittar took away around 777 gm of gold worth Rs 23 lakh,” he said.

After being freed, he lodged a complaint with the Cantonment police. Paramjit Singh, investigating officer, said Gurmukh was arrested after a preliminary probe. “He has been awarded an imprisonment of two years in a cheque bounce case. Since he couldn’t be arrested, he was declared a proclaimed offender. The gold ornaments are yet to be recovered as Bachittar and his accomplices are at large. Raids are being conducted at their possible hideouts,” he added.