Siliguri, 29th January: A sensational extortion case has surfaced in Siliguri after a local businessman allegedly received a ₹10 crore ransom threat in the name of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, triggering fear among the city’s business community. The victim has lodged a written complaint at Matigara police station, following which the police administration swung into action and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
According to police sources, the businessman first received a phone call in late December last year demanding money. After no calls were received for the next 8–10 days, he initially dismissed it as a prank. However, on 7th January, he received another call from an international number from Malaysia. The caller identified himself as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and issued a direct threat.
As per the complaint, the caller warned that if ₹10 crore was not paid within seven days, the businessman and his family members would be killed. Following repeated threats, the businessman and his family were left deeply shaken, after which he filed a formal complaint on 27th January at the Matigara police station under the Siliguri Metropolitan Police.
Preliminary police investigation suggests that although the call originated from an international number, the involvement of a local gang or cybercriminal network cannot be ruled out. Police suspect that the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was used to intimidate the victim and extort money, a pattern that has been seen in several states in recent times.
As part of the investigation, police are analysing call detail records, conducting IP tracking and digital forensic examinations. Security around the businessman has also been tightened. Police sources said efforts are underway to trace the phone number with the help of the cyber cell and international agencies.
Siliguri Metropolitan Police DCP Rakesh Singh stated that the number from which the call was made has shown links to Bihar.
It may be recalled that a few days ago, three members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested in Howrah. During interrogation, it emerged that the accused had stayed in Sikkim for some time before returning to Kolkata via Siliguri, raising questions about possible movement routes of the gang through Sikkim–Siliguri–Kolkata. Police are currently investigating the matter from all angles.