Partners in Ghaziabad allege extortion

Vivek Singhal, Proprietor of Ghaziabad-based Computer Care logged a police
complaint against Mastram Bhati, who has been accused for harassing dealers in
the region for extortion. Dealers at Shiva Towers, Ghaziabad had allegedly been
receiving extortion calls for the past few weeks from Bhati who they say enjoys
political patronage.

The local dealers decided to get together with Uttar Pradesh Vyapar Udyog
Mandal and Ghaziabad Computer Association. Together they approached the police
station and demanded that Bhati be arrested so that they get respite from the
daily extortions. They also met Deepak Rattan, SSP, Ghaziabad, and Vijay Bhushan,
SP-City, Ghaziabad. Following that, Singhal logged a complaint with the Kotwali,
GP Road Police Station, Ghaziabad.

“Bhati has been arrested but his companions outside jail have been giving me
extortion calls.”

Elaborating on the series of incidents, Singhal mentioned, “One day this man
came to our shop and asked for extortion. However, we denied him the extortion
after which his companions set fire to two of our shop on the eve of July 3. We
resolved to take action and lodged a complaint against him.”

The fire has caused severe damage to the products in his shops and Singhal
has suffered a loss of around Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh. The dealer however, has claimed
insurance amount for the same. But the entire incident has slowed down his
business.

As a precautionary measure two guards have been stationed at his shop.