Five Arrested for Extortion in Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Incident Involving BJP Leader

Incident Overview

In a recent case linked to a viral video on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, five individuals have been apprehended for allegedly extorting ₹25,000 from BJP leader Manohar Lal Dhakad. The extortion was reportedly carried out under the threat of releasing an explicit video. The Bhanpura police have confirmed the arrests, noting that three of the suspects are employees of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Dhakad had previously reported to the authorities that the accused demanded money while threatening to make the video public.

Details of the Incident

The incident unfolded on May 13, when Dhakad was traveling from Mandsaur to Bhanpura. Around 8 p.m., as he was leaving the 8 Line area in Bhanpura, an ambulance unexpectedly cut off his vehicle. Four young men exited the ambulance and surrounded Dhakad's car, claiming they had footage of him in a compromising situation captured by a nearby CCTV camera. They then pressured him for ₹25,000.

Extortion and Police Action

In a state of fear over the potential release of the video, Dhakad handed over ₹20,000 in cash immediately and later transferred an additional ₹5,000 via mobile payment. Following this, he filed a complaint at the Bhanpura police station, leading to the registration of a case under various sections of the IPC and IT Act. The police acted swiftly, arresting one suspect, Bane Singh, on June 14 based on a tip-off.

Further Developments

During questioning, Singh disclosed the identities of four other accomplices: Ajay Meena, Kamlesh Meghwal, Rohit Nagar, and Sanwarlal Mali. All suspects have since been arrested, and authorities seized the vehicle used in the crime, along with five mobile phones and ₹10,000 in cash. The investigation is ongoing, with police suggesting that more details may emerge as they delve deeper into the case.

Background on the Viral Video

The controversy began when a video surfaced showing Manohar Dhakad with a woman on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on May 13. He was arrested on May 25 but was later released. Following the release of the initial video, another clip surfaced showing him dancing shortly after the incident. The public backlash led to his removal from the position of National Minister of the Youth Association of Dhakad Samaj. The BJP has stated that the individual in the video is not a core member of the party.