Surat: With the ongoing police crackdown on extortionist journalists, Kishore Samaliya, the owner of Dainik Satya Vichar, and its journalist, Anil Vasoya, have been booked. Their arrest followed a complaint filed by two traders from Amroli, alleging that they had extorted ₹3 lakh in the name of RTI.

According to the information received, Rajesh Kumar Khimjibhai, a resident of Gajanand Park Society near Katargam Ambatlavadi, works as an electrical machinery service provider behind Kosad Ring Road in Monpara, Amroli. Two years ago, he purchased a property in Amroli and constructed a building on it. At that time, Kishore Samaliya, the manager of Dainik Satya Vichar, and Anil Vasoya approached him, showed photos of his property, and demanded ₹5 lakh as ransom.

When Rajeshbhai insisted that the construction was not illegal, Kishore Samaliya became agitated, struck him on the head with an iron rod, and threatened, “Your head will explode like a coconut, and it won’t take long for the rod to pierce your neck.” Fearing for his life, Rajeshbhai complied and paid ₹1 lakh. At that time, he did not file a complaint. However, after the police launched action against extortionists misusing RTI, Rajeshbhai also filed a complaint against Kishore Samaliya and Anil Vasoya.

Meanwhile, in 2017, Kishore Samaliya had demanded ₹5 lakh from businessman Rajesh Shingala, a resident of Krishna Society, Kosad, for alleged illegal construction. When Shingala refused to pay, Kishore published the matter in Dainik Satya Vichar, filed an RTI, and eventually extorted ₹2 lakh. A complaint was also registered against Kishore in this case, and the police have now taken action. DeshGujarat