The India Decade

Arvind Kejriwal death threat traced to hoax caller as Punjab Police apprehend suspect

Prompt action by cyber crime investigators established that extortion demands made against the former Delhi chief minister had no connection to organized crime networks.

By The India Decade

Punjab Police have exposed a bogus extortion demand made against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter Harshita, establishing that a caller claiming to represent the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was actually a retired clerk with no links to organised crime.

The swift resolution followed a complaint filed on 6 November by Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Jarnail Singh, who represents Tilak Nagar in the Delhi Assembly. Singh received phone calls and WhatsApp messages demanding Rs 7 crore, with threats that Kejriwal and his daughter would be killed if the money was not paid.

How law enforcement resolved the threat

The case was immediately registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act before being handed to Inspector Sunil Kumar at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali.

Investigators tracked down the suspect's digital footprint by analysing call detail records, IP logs, and cell location data. Senior Punjab Police officers confirmed that the apprehended suspect, a retired clerk from Rohtak, acted independently and held no operational ties to Lawrence Bishnoi's network.

ParameterInitial threat claimPolice investigation outcome
Targeted individualsArvind Kejriwal and Harshita KejriwalArvind Kejriwal and Harshita Kejriwal
Alleged identityLawrence Bishnoi gang memberRetired clerk from Rohtak
Extortion demandRs 7 croreHoax demand
Investigating agencyCyber Crime Police Station, MohaliCyber Crime Police Station, Mohali

Precautionary security measures

Singh had formally requested enhanced security for Kejriwal and his family following the initial messages. Kejriwal had previously received threat emails in 2019 while serving as Delhi Chief Minister, which prompted a full investigation by the Delhi Police.

State law enforcement agencies continue to maintain close oversight on digital communication channels to ensure prompt action against cyber crime and public safety threats.

Key numbers

WhatFigureSource
Extortion demandRs 7 croreComplaint filed by MLA Jarnail Singh with Mohali Police
Date of police complaint6 NovemberMohali Police records
Suspect profileRetired clerk from RohtakSenior Punjab Police sources

In this story

NameRole in the story
Arvind KejriwalFormer Chief Minister of Delhi targeted by the threat.
Punjab PoliceLaw enforcement agency that investigated and resolved the threat.

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