Patel Nagar police in Dehradun have arrested Anuj Agarwal after a property dealer alleged that he demanded 5 lakh to stop the publication of reports about a property dispute. Police said Agarwal presented himself as the operator of a news platform and threatened the complainant over the proposed coverage.
The case concerns a property dispute in the Chanchak area. Tanveer Khan, a resident of Azad Colony Majra who works in the property business, told police that he received several WhatsApp calls on the morning of 19 October. When he did not answer, the caller sent messages and later contacted him by phone.
According to the complaint, the caller said he had information about the property dispute and would publish it on a news platform. He allegedly demanded 5 lakh in exchange for not running the reports.
Complaint and payment
Khan told police that he deposited 50 thousand into an Axis Bank account named after Anuj Agarwal because he was afraid of the threats. The complainant said the accused continued to demand the remaining amount and allegedly abused and threatened him when they spoke again.
Khan submitted WhatsApp chat screenshots and proof of the bank transfer with his written complaint. Patel Nagar police then registered a case and began examining the communications and payment records.
The Dehradun senior superintendent of police directed officers to collect evidence and take action. After examining the material provided by the complainant, the police team identified the accused as Anuj Agarwal, according to the police account.
Arrest near ISBT
Police arrested Agarwal near ISBT in the Patel Nagar area on the night of 19 October. Officers recovered 3 mobile phones and one diary from him, police said.
The accused is originally from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and currently lives in Dwarikapuri in the Clement Town area, according to the report. Police described him as a history-sheeter of Patel Nagar police station.
Police examine hidden recordings
Police said the recovered diary contained a concealed compartment designed to hide a mobile phone. Investigators allege that the device could be used to secretly record people and later blackmail them for money.
Several covertly recorded videos were found on the accused’s mobile phones, according to police. Officers are examining the videos to establish the circumstances in which they were recorded and how they may have been used. The available information does not state that the investigation into those recordings has been completed.
Earlier cases under examination
Police said several cases involving fraud, assault, threats, criminal breach of trust and other allegations were registered against Agarwal at Patel Nagar police station between 2010 and 2017. Authorities also said action had previously been taken against him under the Gangsters Act and the Goonda Act.
Police have received information about 4 cases against Agarwal in Madhya Pradesh and one each in Punjab, Gujarat and Odisha. Officials are seeking further information from those states, according to the report.
The extortion allegation and the allegations connected with the recordings remain subject to investigation. a court finding on the charges is not yet available.
Conclusion
Patel Nagar police arrested Anuj Agarwal after a property dealer alleged a 5-lakh demand linked to threatened news coverage. Police are continuing to examine the recovered devices, secret compartment and alleged recordings, while seeking details of cases reported in other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What was Anuj Agarwal accused of doing?
Police said he allegedly demanded 5 lakh from a property dealer after threatening to publish reports about a property dispute.
Q. How much money did the complainant pay?
The complainant told police that he deposited 50 thousand into an Axis Bank account named after Anuj Agarwal.
Q. Where was the accused arrested?
Police arrested him near ISBT in the Patel Nagar area on the night of 19 October.
Q. What did police recover?
Police said they recovered 3 mobile phones and one diary.
Q. What was found in the diary?
Police said the diary had a concealed compartment for hiding a mobile phone.
Q. Why are the mobile phones being examined?
Police said several covertly recorded videos were found on the phones and are being examined to establish their circumstances and possible use.
Q. Does the accused have earlier criminal cases?
Police said cases were registered against him in Dehradun between 2010 and 2017, with additional cases reported in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Odisha.
Q. Has a court convicted him?
The available information does not report a court conviction. The allegations remain under investigation.
