Nagpur Police Investigate Threatening Letters to Jewelers
Authorities are probing threatening letters demanding ₹80 lakh from local jewelers, allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Eight jewelers in Nagpur received threats demanding ₹80 lakh.
An unidentified woman delivered an envelope containing the threats.
Police are enhancing security measures in response to trader concerns.
In a troubling development for the jewelry trade in Nagpur, police are investigating a series of threatening letters demanding a total of ₹80 lakh from eight jewelers in the Itwari area. The letters, which are believed to have been sent from a post box in Khamla, have raised alarms among local traders, prompting a swift police response to identify the culprits behind these threats purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The investigation revealed that the threatening letters were mailed on three separate occasions: October 20, 21, and 22. After being posted in Khamla, the letters were routed through the Trimurti Nagar post office before reaching their intended recipients in Itwari. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the Khamla post box to trace the individual who deposited the letters.
A significant breakthrough occurred when Nehal Tinkhede, the owner of Durga Jewellers, received an envelope on October 31 from an unidentified woman who requested ₹10 for a postal stamp. Upon opening the envelope, Tinkhede found a threatening letter along with seven other envelopes addressed to fellow jewelers in the Gandhibagh area. The police are now investigating the woman’s identity and her potential involvement in this case.
The letters demanded ₹10 lakh from each jeweler, threatening severe consequences, including murder, if the payment was not made within three days. The correspondence also warned against contacting law enforcement, insisting that a 'Jai Shri Ram' poster be displayed at their establishments after the payment was made. This has understandably instilled fear among the local jewelry community.
In response to the alarming situation, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madne convened a meeting with members of the Nagpur Sarafa Association to discuss security measures. DCP Madne assured traders of police cooperation and increased security in the Sarafa market area. Additionally, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar reached out to the association, promising thorough investigation and action against the perpetrators. The police are also looking into a similar threat received by Mahalakshmi Jewellers about a month and a half ago, raising concerns about the effectiveness of prior responses to such incidents. As investigations continue, authorities are focused on determining the true connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and ensuring the safety of local jewelers.
