Jaipur dialysis patient's 'luxe cars' drive hospital staff to Rs 10 crore extortion bid

JAIPUR: City police arrested four men Tuesday for allegedly demanding Rs 10 crore from a Jaipur-based steel trader by posing as members of the Rohit Godara gang.
DCP (south) Digant Anand said the trader was threatened with dire consequences if the money was not paid, and that three of the four arrested men had links to a private hospital.
The trader's mother regularly visited the private hospital for dialysis. "The accused noticed that the complainant's mother used to come for treatment in different luxury cars, which drew their attention," Anand said.
The DCP identified the accused as Jaiprakash Kumawat (24), a former dialysis technician at the private hospital; Lokendra Singh alias (27), a current employee at the hospital; Mahesh Kumawat (25), cousin of Jaiprakash; and Lakhan Kasana alias Harry (21), a resident of Mansarovar.
DCP Anand said the conspiracy was orchestrated by Jaiprakash, a former dialysis department staffer who had developed a gambling addiction and was under pressure to repay large debts. Jaiprakash conspired with Lokendra, Lakhan, and his cousin Mahesh, all of whom had knowledge of the trader's schedule and assets. Lokendra befriended the family's driver, Sunil, and used the friendship to gather details about the trader's business, movements, and family members.
Posing as gang members, the accused made threatening calls on May 27 and 28, demanding the money and warning of harm if it was not paid.
Investigations revealed the phone number used for the threat belonged to a labourer from Alwar, whose Aadhaar details were fraudulently used to procure the SIM. Police seized the mobile handset, a motorcycle, and a Thar vehicle used in the crime.
Police said Jaiprakash borrowed Rs 5 lakh from Lokendra and also owed money to other creditors. Lokendra, who lost his eyesight due to an untreated infection, gave Jaiprakash funds meant for his own eye treatment. Under mounting pressure, the group decided to extort money by exploiting the family's hospital visits and perceived wealth.
The arrests were made after tracing the suspects through technical surveillance and local intelligence.
"The accused were assured that the businessman would eventually give in and pay the money," said an officer.

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