Chandigarh: Chandigarh Police have arrested two men from Punjab's Tarn Taran district for allegedly demanding Rs 10 crore in extortion from a builder based in Sector 19, Mirror Now reported. Hindustan Times, in a report carried by Inshorts, also reported the arrest of the two men for the alleged extortion threat.

Source: Mirror Now

The arrested men have been identified as Arndeep Singh, 30, and Bunty, 20, both hailing from Tarn Taran district. Police said they were apprehended near the Hockey Stadium parking lot in Sector 18 on October 19.

Source: Hindustan Times via Inshorts

According to police, when the builder did not respond to their initial calls, the accused allegedly sent a recorded voice message from an international number to intimidate him. Police officials said the duo was allegedly acting under the direction of an overseas-based gangster and had planned to escalate the intimidation by firing shots at the victim. These are police allegations and have not been proved in court.

Following the arrest, police recovered a country-made pistol and two live cartridges, which they said were intended for use in the planned attack on the builder. A formal case has been registered at the Sector 19 police station under Section 308 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to extortion, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

Police said Arndeep Singh was allegedly involved in the illicit activation and distribution of SIM cards, reportedly using personal identity documents and photographs collected from unsuspecting individuals to generate SIM cards that were then funnelled to criminal associates for anonymous extortion threats. Bunty is believed by investigators to have established ties with criminal elements during a previous period of incarceration, and the pair allegedly communicated with their handlers using encrypted platforms, including Snapchat.

During an initial three-day police remand, investigators said they recovered the mobile phone and the specific SIM card used to transmit the threatening messages. Police said they plan to seek an extension of Bunty's custody to question him about the remaining conspirators, and that efforts are on to identify and arrest other members of the alleged network.