Ranchi: Jharkhand police have arrested three people in connection with the extortion demand of Rs.5 million and the threats to Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni's family had received a letter Monday, demanding Rs.5 million. The letter bore the name of a gangster Taslim, who claimed to be a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. A second letter, received Wednesday, threatened to blow up Dhoni's house if the demand for the money was not met and if the police were informed about it.

Dhoni met police officials Wednesday, handing over the letters and discussing the security of his family members. He left Ranchi Thursday amid tight security.

Acting on the threat letter, Ranchi police arrested three people Thursday night.

The arrested, identified as Ranjit, Sadiq and Parvez, are being interrogated. The police have also questioned Taslim's family members to know his whereabouts.

"We are investigating three angles. First, was it really Taslim who wrote the letter, second, could it be the handiwork of any rival gang, and third, is it someone playing a prank," a police official told IANS.

Ranchi police are also seeking help of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in the investigations.

According to police, Taslim was a close associate of Surendra Bengali, a dreaded don of Ranchi, who is presently serving a life term in Hazaribagh central jail. Taslim left Ranchi in early 1990s and is said to have joined Dawood's gang.

Meanwhile, the state government has provided the highest "Z category" security cover to Dhoni and his family following the threats.

 

Source : ians