Two, including former Zee Rajasthan journalist, arrested for extortion in Jaipur
Jaipur (PTI): Two people, including a former journalist, have been arrested in connection with a blackmail and extortion racket, police said.
The action was taken against Ram Singh Rajawat and Jitendra Sharma, previously associated with Zee Rajasthan news channel as a reporter and state business head.
The channel management had lodged a complaint at the Ashok Nagar Police Station last month against its then regional head, Ashish Dave, and others for cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal misconduct.
A senior police officer said the investigation revealed that Rajawat and Sharma operated under Dave's instructions, broadcasting negative news reports against businesspersons to coerce them into paying money.
"The accused used to blackmail and extort money from builders, miners, private hospitals and power project companies, among other establishments in the state," the officer said.
The scam surfaced after the channel received several complaints against Dave and others. Subsequently, a team from the head office visited the regional office, and during an internal inquiry, Sharma was caught on a CCTV camera allegedly fleeing with Rs 5 lakh from a locker.
Following the revelations, Dave, Rajawat and Sharma were asked to resign by the channel management.
Dave applied for anticipatory bail in the district and sessions court, which was rejected. He then approached the Rajasthan High Court, which directed the Jaipur police to complete the probe within six weeks and submit evidence.
The Jaipur police is expected to submit its report on Monday.
Meanwhile, police sources said the accused filed over 100 negative stories in three months as part of the extortion scheme.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
