Leaders from both Congress and BJP in Maharashtra have received extortion threats from individuals allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
In Maharashtra's Akola district, there has been a surge of alarm following extortion calls reportedly made in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Harish Tawari, the local BJP city president of Akot, received a demand for 2 crores, and this was soon followed by Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan receiving a demand for 10 crores, prompting police and security agencies to heighten their alert levels. The police have registered a case following Tawari's complaint, indicating that the crime is being taken seriously, though it's noteworthy that no connections to local BJP MLA Prakash Bharasakale have been established in the complaints.
On February 17, the threats escalated further when Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan received a call from an international number, demanding 10 crores and threatening to kill him and his family if he did not comply. This shocking threat has not only highlighted the reach of organized crime but also raised concerns about the safety of political leaders in the region. Pathan reported the incident to the Akola police on February 18, prompting them to file an FIR and initiate an investigation into the matter.
The case is currently under investigation, including an analysis of Call Data Records (CDR), which could provide crucial information about the perpetrators behind these threats. The unfolding situation emphasizes the persistent issues of extortion and crime affecting the political landscape in Maharashtra, and it underscores the urgency for enhanced security measures for elected officials as organized crime syndicates continue to challenge the rule of law in the area.
