New Delhi [India], April 29 (HBTV): Delhi Police have uncovered a bizarre extortion plot in which a man allegedly used his minor niece and a fake human thumb to extort INR 5 crore from an acquaintance. Three individuals, including one juvenile, have been apprehended in the case.

The case was registered on April 16 at Jagatpuri Police Station under Section 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to DCP Shahdara Prashant Gautam, the complainant had received a suspicious parcel containing a threatening letter, a smartwatch, and a plastic box with what appeared to be a human thumb replica. The parcel was delivered by a young girl. A special team was formed under the supervision of ACP VV and SHO Jagatpuri to investigate the matter promptly.

Investigators reviewed over 600 CCTV recordings to trace the delivery route and identify the girl involved. The minor, referred to as ‘X’, was taken into custody and, as per Juvenile Justice Act procedures, sent to the Observation Home for Girls at Nirmal Chhaya, Tihar Jail.

Further inquiry led to the arrest of the primary accused, Abhishek Jain, near Jagatpuri Police Station. During interrogation, he admitted to orchestrating the extortion attempt against his long-time acquaintance, Vikas Jain, whom he had known for nearly 30 years.

Abhishek Jain revealed that he had purchased a plastic thumb for INR 3,500 via IndiaMart and a smartwatch for INR 500 from a local shop in Dilshad Garden. He also hired other accomplices for INR 35,000 and involved his niece and a relative, Sachin Jain, in the scheme. On the day of the incident, he instructed the minor on the delivery plan, showed her the complainant’s house, and coordinated the delivery while remaining at a distance.

Based on his statement, co-accused Sachin Jain, a resident of Balbir Nagar, Shahdara, was also apprehended. An additional charge under Section 61(2) BNS was later added to the case. Both adult accused have been presented in court and remanded to judicial custody.

Police said further investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest others involved in the conspiracy.

(ANI)