The Panipat police have arrested three persons, including Mahender Chawla of Sanoli — a prime witness in the Asaram case — for allegedly extorting money and threatening to change court statements.
The arrests were made following a complaint by Bhagat Singh, a resident of Sector 12. A case was registered at Chandnibagh police station on April 15 under relevant provisions of the BNS against Mahender Chawla, his brother Devender Chawla, nephew Ram and mother Gopali Devi. Mahender, Devender and Ram were arrested from Sanoli village on Saturday evening.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly took Rs 70 lakh on March 1 through a mediator, promising to depose in favour of certain parties in court. They later demanded an additional Rs 80 lakh and allegedly threatened to give statements against them if the demand was not met.
Superintendent of Police Bhupender Singh constituted a Special Investigation Team led by DSP Satish Vats to probe the case.
“The complainant has alleged that the accused have taken Rs 70 lakh from the opposite parties and also demanded more Rs 80 lakh from them to change his statements in the court and also threatened to give statements against them if they refused to give money,” said Vats.
The accused were produced before a duty magistrate and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.
