Surat: The Surat Police on Wednesday registered four more cases against individuals accused of extorting municipal officials and builders under the guise of RTI journalism. Complaints were filed against Shakir Sheikh of Alert News, Mushtaq Habib of Seven Seas News, and Syed Habib of Samachar Manch at Lalgate, Mahidharpura, and Athwa Lines police stations.

Surat East Assembly MLA Arvind Rana had earlier approached the Police Commissioner and Chief Minister, demanding strict action against the extortionists. However, the police initially registered a case only against Sheikh Md. Sakir Shabbir Mian Sheikh of Alert News and Mushtaq Hussain Baig based on a complaint from a builder in Nanpura. Following this, one of the accused was taken to the Municipal Corporation office for crime reconstruction.

After the news surfaced, three more victims of this extortion racket came forward. In one case, a ransom of ₹2 lakh was allegedly demanded from Shabbir Lokhandwala of Lalgate, leading to a complaint against Syed Habib of Samachar Manch. Similarly, Syed Habib of Seven Seas News allegedly extorted ₹22,000 from Chirag Patel, the builder of Element Hotel in Mahidharpura Vairagi’s Wadi, and reportedly threatened him with a knife.

Additionally, the accused allegedly extorted ₹7,000, ₹9,000, and ₹12,000 from Naresh Jariwala, a zari manufacturer in Gopipura, who had constructed a new house on his old property after being threatened. DeshGujarat