Surat: Shree Ramakrishna Exports (SRK Diamonds), the diamond firm associated with Rajya Sabha member and businessman Govind Dholakiya, has allegedly received a Rs 25 lakh extortion threat, prompting the Katargam police to arrest a former employee of the company.According to the FIR, the firm received a call on its landline on August 19. The caller identified himself as Dinesh Bhargav and threatened that the company’s “young generation” would be harmed if Rs 25 lakh was not paid. The call was later transferred to the company’s security in charge Ranjitsinh Jadeja.When Jadeja asked where and when the money should be handed over, the caller disconnected. He called again the following day and allegedly warned Jadeja that the target would be “locked” if the money was not paid.Following the complaint, Katargam police began an investigation and arrested 42-year-old Vijay Desai. Police inspector L R Gohil said Desai had previously worked at SRK Diamonds for about three months last year.According to police, Desai later started a textile business but suffered losses. He also entered the share market after taking a Rs 7 lakh top-up on his home loan, but allegedly lost money there as well.Police said he had accumulated debts, including Rs 1.5 lakh borrowed from a friend and allegedly planned the extortion to arrange Rs 25 lakh and clear his financial liabilities.Desai is a native of Surendranagar and lives in Surat with his family, police said, adding that they are investigating whether he acted alone or had any accomplices and whether there was any other motive behind the threats.SIM card obtained in beggar’s namePolice said Desai allegedly purchased the sim card in the name of Gorakhnath Singh, a man who begs outside Lambe Hanuman Temple. After making the alleged extortion calls, he threw the mobile phone into the Tapi river to avoid being traced. Police have sought the assistance of the fire brigade to recover the device, which could provide further evidence in the case.
