Bengaluru: A diagnostic centre owner at Bommanahalli approached police alleging that a man claiming to be a news channel representative and his aide threatened to tarnish his reputation and demanded Rs 10 lakh to settle an alleged issue involving the treatment of a boy.According to a complaint filed by Yashika Diagnostic Centre proprietor Dayananda Swamy MS, a man identifying himself as Mohammed Shafi called the centre’s landline on Sept 17 and asked the owner to contact him. Shafi later accused him of negligence in the treatment of a child and claimed that it would lead to a police complaint. He asked whether the matter should be settled on the phone or whether he should visit the place with a camera.Swamy said Shafi and another man carrying a camera then allegedly arrived there and identified themselves as being from a news channel. Shafi showed him medical reports concerning an 11-year-old boy and demanded Rs 10 lakh, threatening to make the video viral and damage the centre’s reputation if he refused.When Swamy refused to pay, Shafi allegedly threatened him, claiming he would ensure patients stopped visiting the centre and that its reputation would be damaged. He also demanded CCTV footage from the day the boy underwent tests.Swamy said the footage was forcibly obtained from him and that the entire interaction was recorded. He alleged that the footage and conversation were subsequently edited and posted on social media in a misleading manner, damaging his and the centre’s reputation.A complaint has been filed against Shafi and the cameraman at Bandepalya police station. A senior officer said the allegations were being verified.
