LUDHIANA: Punjab Police has arrested Rajiv Raja, a close aide of Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu on charges of extortion. He allegedly demanded Rs.30 lakhs from a local businessman.
Rajiv Raja former district president of Youth Congress was booked under sections 308(4) (Extortion) and 351(2) (Criminal intimidation) of BNS at the Division No.8 Police station. Two other persons have also been booked in this case but their identity is not yet revealed.Raja had resigned from Congress after Bittu joined BJP.
The victim Ravish Gupta.37, a resident of Mall Enclave had complained that he has been receiving calls and messages on WhatsApp from an international number over the past few days. The caller was demanding Rs.30 lakhs and threatened of dire consequences if money is not paid. A call recording of the extortion threat went viral on social media in which Raja was heard threatening a person over monetary dispute.
Bittu has reacted strongly to registration of criminal case against Raja and in a video message alleged that Bhagwant Mann was targeting his supporter after AAP's defeat in Delhi. He threatened to hold dharna in front of Mann's residence.