New Delhi: The Delhi Police have arrested three people in connection with an alleged Rs 1 crore extortion racket targeting businessmen in the national capital. The racket is suspected to be linked to the Goldy Brar gang, with police saying the calls were made from a UAE-based number.
The accused have been identified as Aarif alias Pistol, Mubarik alias Gullu and Nawab Ali alias Sonij. Police said the three were allegedly involved at different levels of the operation, while four suspected shooters are still wanted.
The case began on September 16, when a Delhi businessman, Praveen Jain, allegedly received calls demanding Rs 1 crore. According to police, the caller claimed to be associated with Goldy Brar and threatened the family with serious consequences if the money was not paid.
A case was registered at Roop Nagar police station on September 17 under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to extortion and criminal intimidation.
During the investigation, police traced the communication trail and found links to a UAE-based number and digital infrastructure connected to a server in France. Investigators also found that some people linked to the communication network had travelled to Dubai.
Police said their investigation led them to Aarif alias ‘Pistol’, who was allegedly acting as an Indian link between the Dubai-based caller and the people involved in the operation. He was arrested from Vejalpur in Ahmedabad on September 24.
According to investigators, Aarif allegedly asked a Dubai-based man, identified as Aarish, to make the extortion call and speak in Haryanvi so that the threat appeared to have come from a local criminal.
Same UAE Number Used To Target Another Businessman
Police said the same UAE-based number was later used to target another Delhi businessman.
On September 19, the younger brother of construction businessman Manoj Malik, a resident of Rohini’s Sector 1, allegedly received two WhatsApp calls from the number. The caller reportedly introduced himself as Vikrant from Mahendergarh, claimed links to the Goldy Brar gang and demanded another Rs 1 crore within 48 hours.
A 37-second audio message was also sent, police said. A separate case was registered at Vijay Vihar police station on September 24.
Investigators said the use of the same number and an identical extortion demand helped establish a possible link between the two cases.
Firing At Businessman’s House Allegedly Planned
Police further claimed that the accused had allegedly planned to fire several rounds at the Roop Nagar victim’s house and then repeat the extortion demand.
The attack was allegedly planned for around two days before it was to be carried out. Police said preventive arrangements were made at the victim’s residence and the alleged firing was foiled.
Investigators also identified four suspected shooters who were allegedly brought in to carry out the attack if the extortion demand was not met. Two of them are believed to be from Panipat and two from Khalapar in Muzaffarnagar, according to police.
Three Arrested, Four Shooters Wanted
Mubarik alias Gullu, a resident of Tittwara, was arrested in Delhi on September 25. Police identified him as an alleged key conspirator and said he arranged accommodation for the suspected shooters in Kirari and paid their rent.
Nawab Ali alias Sonij, who police said was one of the suspected shooters, was arrested on October 1 with the help of Railway Protection Force personnel. Police said he was caught from a moving train near Rewari while allegedly trying to escape.
Aarif, 32, is originally from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, and has previously been named in 12 cases registered between 2016 and 2026, including cases related to attempt to murder, extortion, criminal intimidation, rioting and offences under the Arms Act, police said.
The police investigation is continuing to trace the remaining suspects, including the four alleged shooters and the Dubai-based caller. Investigators are also examining communication records, digital evidence and financial transactions to establish the wider network and determine whether the same group was involved in other extortion cases.