Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 9: Two persons, including a Dakshina Kannada District Youth Congress office-bearer, have been arrested after a contractor accused them of blackmailing him, extorting Rs 2.77 crore and repeatedly threatening his life by exploiting compromising material and fabricating a suicide narrative.
The arrested have been identified as Jitesh and Nizam alias Ibrahim, who served as the District Youth Congress general secretary. Nizam is reportedly associated with the Congress party, and photographs of him with senior party leaders have circulated widely on social media.
According to the police complaint, the alleged ordeal began in January 2024 when the contractor received a phone call from Jitesh, an employee of his company. Jitesh allegedly sent him obscene photographs linked to an illicit relationship and claimed to possess compromising videos.
He allegedly demanded Rs 35 lac and threatened to make the material public and send it to the complainant's wife if the money was not paid.
Fearing damage to his reputation, the complainant met Jitesh at a hotel in Mangaluru. During the meeting, Jitesh allegedly reiterated his threats and insisted on payment. The contractor subsequently handed over two cheques of Rs 10 lac each and another cheque for Rs 15 lac.
Police said Jitesh encashed the two Rs 10 lac cheques and received Rs 20 lac. However, the Rs 15 lac cheque could not be cleared owing to insufficient funds in the complainant's account.
In May 2024, Jitesh allegedly visited the complainant's residence and demanded more money. The contractor then informed Nizam, who was also employed by his company, about the situation. Nizam reportedly came to the house and took Jitesh away.
About a week later, Nizam allegedly informed the complainant that Jitesh had died by suicide and had mentioned the contractor in a suicide note. He allegedly threatened that photographs of the note would be released and that a criminal case would be registered against the complainant.
Using the alleged threat, Nizam is said to have extorted Rs 2.57 crore from the contractor through multiple payments made over a period of time.
The alleged fraud unravelled when the complainant later spotted Jitesh alive in Mangaluru. When he questioned Nizam about the claim of suicide, Nizam allegedly threatened him again.
Police said that on June 1, Jitesh once more contacted the complainant and allegedly demanded an additional Rs 10 lac.
Unable to endure the continued blackmail and threats, the contractor approached the Urwa police station and lodged a complaint. Based on the complaint, police arrested both accused. Further investigation is under way.
Meanwhile, the Dakshina Kannada District Youth Congress Committee expelled Nizam from the party's primary membership following the case. District Youth Congress president Ibrahim Nawaz said Nizam, who had been serving as the organisation's general secretary, was removed for his alleged involvement in anti-social activities.
"Any activities that are contrary to the party's ideology, values, and the interests of the organisation will not be tolerated. Appropriate action will continue to be taken against those who violate party discipline," Nawaz said.