Surat: A 28-year-old man was allegedly threatened and extorted of Rs 50,000 by a journalist in Utran after the accused demanded Rs 2.5 lakh from him, police said. The accused journalist Kaushik Patel allegedly threatened to have the trader jailed after he refused to pay the remaining Rs 2 lakh.Utran police have booked Patel for the alleged extortion and criminal intimidation and have launched an investigation.According to the complaint, the victim, Meet Godhani, is a trader. On July 29, Patel allegedly uploaded posts on his Instagram and Facebook accounts featuring Godhani’s photograph and making allegations about his association with forex trading platform WinproFX. Godhani told police that he feared the posts could damage his business and reputation.Later that evening, Patel allegedly approached Godhani near Dukhiyana Darbar in Utran and demanded Rs 2.5 lakh. When Godhani refused to pay, Patel allegedly picked up a stick lying on the road and attempted to assault him.Fearing for his safety, Godhani allegedly handed over Rs 50,000 to Patel and requested him not to publish defamatory content about him in the future.Godhani later asked his friend, Vandan Bhadani, to speak to Patel. According to the complaint, Bhadani told Godhani that Patel had threatened to file a case against him if he failed to pay the remaining amount.As Godhani was scheduled to travel abroad, he left the city without making any further payment. On August 4, Patel allegedly published another post about Godhani. Bhadani then mediated between the two and arranged a WhatsApp call. During the call, Patel abused and threatened Godhani.After returning to Surat from abroad, Godhani approached Utran police and lodged a complaint against Patel.Police have registered a case against Patel for alleged extortion and criminal intimidation and are investigating the allegations.
