Ahmedabad, Oct 7: A 39-year-old man was arrested by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Ahmedabad Police after allegedly honey-trapping an older man through Facebook and extorting Rs 24 lakh from him in instalments by threatening to implicate him in false cases, police said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Alpesh Solanki, a resident of Thikvadi village in Botad district, was arrested with Rs 1 lakh in cash allegedly collected from the complainant during the latest extortion attempt.

According to police, the incident came to light on the night of October 5, when Anandnagar Police Station received a control-room message stating that a gang had allegedly blackmailed an older man and his son and taken Rs 1 lakh from them in a black bag.

Officials said a man wearing black trousers and a white checked shirt was reported to have fled from Pakwan Char Rasta with the money.

Following the information, senior officials directed the concerned officers to take immediate action.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma ordered a special action plan and strict naka-bandi in the area to identify and apprehend those involved.

Teams from the LCB Zone-7, led by Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela, conducted intensive patrolling and vehicle checks along the SG Highway.

Based on specific information received, the police located a man matching the description in the control-room message hiding under the Karnavati Bridge with a black bag.

He was apprehended along with Rs 1 lakh in cash.

Police said questioning of Solanki revealed that he and his associates had allegedly contacted the complainant through Facebook and honey-trapped him.

The accused allegedly threatened to register false cases against him and, as part of a planned conspiracy, collected Rs 24 lakh from him in instalments.

Police further said the gang had allegedly demanded another Rs 7 lakh from the complainant during the latest episode.

Officials said the complainant became suspicious and contacted the police, following which Solanki was arrested with Rs 1 lakh.

Two other accused, Kishan alias Kanu Parmar, a resident of Morarinagar-1 on Targhada Road in Botad, and Lalo, a resident of Panadara village in Kadi taluka of Mehsana district, are yet to be arrested.

Police said efforts to trace them are underway.

The police seized two bundles of Rs 500 notes totalling Rs 1 lakh, a black bag and a mobile phone valued at Rs 5,000.

The total value of the seized property was put at Rs 1.05 lakh.

Police advised people to exercise caution before accepting friend requests from unknown persons on social media and while communicating with strangers online.

The police also appealed to anyone facing blackmail or an extortion demand of this nature to approach the nearest police station.

Chennai, Oct 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay visited his MLA office in Perambur on Wednesday, met residents, received their petitions and directed officials to promptly address grievances raised by people in his own constituency.

During the visit, CM Vijay interacted directly with members of the public who had gathered at the office and listened to their complaints.

He accepted petitions seeking intervention on local issues and instructed officials to ensure that the requests were taken up without delay.

The Chief Minister also distributed various certificates to residents who had applied through electronic service platforms. The distribution formed a part of his visit to the constituency office, where he reviewed the handling of public requests and the delivery of services.

CM Vijay examined the progress of development works in Perambur and sought details of the procedures followed to receive and resolve complaints.

He also reviewed the effectiveness of a dedicated application used for constituency services and grievance handling. His discussions with officials covered both development projects and the response to petitions submitted by residents.

He reiterated that grievances from people in Perambur should be addressed promptly, placing the disposal of pending requests among the issues reviewed during the visit.

With preparations for the rainy season also on the agenda, CM Vijay sought information about waterlogging in north Chennai. He asked officials about the precautionary measures taken for the monsoon and the arrangements made to deal with rainwater accumulation in affected neighbourhoods.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inspected the Madhavaram dairy farm in Chennai and held detailed discussions with officials on milk procurement and distribution.

He sought information about the processes involved in collecting milk and supplying it to consumers.

At the dairy complex, CM Vijay inaugurated the Aavin Central Laboratory annexe building, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.23 crore. The inauguration took place as part of his inspection of the facilities at Madhavaram.

He also examined construction work on a new farm being developed within the Madhavaram dairy farm complex and reviewed the ongoing works before proceeding to Perambur.

The two visits brought together a review of dairy operations and an assessment of constituency services.

At Perambur, the focus remained on residents’ petitions, development works and preparations for rain, while the Madhavaram inspection covered milk procurement, distribution and construction activities within the dairy complex.

New Delhi, Oct 7: Congress MP K.C. Venugopal on Wednesday dismissed the FIRs registered against Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi over protest, saying the party was not afraid of such cases and would continue its fight to protect democracy.

“Let them file thousands of FIRs. Who is bothered about it? Let them do it. We are very much proud that we are fighting to retain the democracy of this country,” Venugopal told reporters as INDIA bloc MPs gathered for a lunch hosted by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, a day after the Opposition’s protest against the Election Commission.

His remarks came after the Gandhi siblings were booked on trespassing charges for allegedly entering Akashwani Bhawan in Central Delhi during Tuesday’s protest march against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress MP Pawan Khera also dismissed concerns over the FIRs, saying they were a “badge of honour” for the party.

“Are we afraid of FIRs? FIRs are a badge of honour. We have to sign something, and we will sign it because the Election Commission wants everyone’s signatures,” Khera said.

“We are here for signing something. The ECI wants signatures from all the people. We will then send the letter,” he added.

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda said the Opposition’s fight to protect democracy and the Constitution would continue.

“Look, we have come for lunch now, and we will have lunch. Our fight is continuing to save democracy and the Constitution. I have been informed that an FIR has been registered, in which our name has also been mentioned. We are not people who are afraid of FIRs. They should have understood this by now,” he said.

Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal also criticised the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that the Election Commission had not shown the courage to meet the Opposition leaders.

“You have seen the conduct of this Chief Election Commissioner when he gave time also… They have no courage to meet,” Sibal said.

Kharge has invited INDIA bloc MPs for lunch at Sagar Ratna on Janpath. The MPs are also expected to sign a letter seeking a meeting with CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The meeting comes a day after Opposition MPs marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding a meeting with the election commissioners over allegations of irregularities in the electoral process.