Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Jul 7: A person who posed as a reporter and blackmailed his own uncle with the intention of extorting Rs 1.5 lac from him has been arrested by the police.

Pradeep Kharvi (24) from Uppunda near Byndoor is the person arrested.

As per details, Pradeep phoned his uncle Annappa Kharvi pretending to be a person from a television channel and demanded Rs 1.5 lac from him.

It is said that Annappa Kharvi’s financial dealings with his nephew’s family were not cordial.

Annappa worked as a fisherman for a boat and Pradeep worked as an agent who brought workers from Odisha on commission basis. A week back Annappa received a phone call from a person who claimed that he was a reporter from a private television channel. He said that he was in possession of a personal a video of Annappa and he would broadcast it if he was not paid Rs 1.5 lac.

Annappa Kharvi complained about this call to the local police. On Monday July 6, Annappa received the call again and was told to hand over the cash at Kundapur to a person who would bring the video CD.

Annappa again informed the police. The police laid a trap and arrested the person who came to collect the money. When grilled further he revealed that Pradeep Kharvi was the main conspirator. Later the police arrested Pradeep Kharvi in Manipal. His car was also seized.

Further investigations are on.