Extortion Plot Against Gadkari Hatched In Jail, Court Told A sessions court in Nagpur is hearing a case involving extortion and threat calls against Union minister Nitin Gadkari. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the accused, Jayesh Pujari, allegedly planned the extortion scheme while incarcerated at Hindalga Central Jail in Belagavi. A former anti-terrorism squad (ATS) officer testified that Pujari maintained detailed diaries while in jail, which contained contact information for prominent political figures, including Gadkari, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office-bearers, and other leaders. These records were allegedly used to execute a Rs100 crore extortion attempt. The prosecution presented evidence indicating Pujari exploited these contacts to target Gadkari. A key witness, Manjula Anandappa, described as Pujari’s associate and believed to have been in a relationship with him, testified that she obtained the contact number of Gadkari’s public relations office on March 15, 2023, at Pujari’s instruction. She then relayed the number to him, who used it to make a threat call on March 21, 2023, demanding money. Manjula claimed she became involved in the plot under the promise of marriage, though the court has not yet assessed the validity of this claim. The court was told that Pujari’s alleged planning included maintaining detailed records of high-profile individuals’ contact details while in jail. The prosecution argues that Pujari’s ability to access such information underscores vulnerabilities in prison systems, as he allegedly used these connections to carry out the extortion attempt. The case highlights the alleged coordination between incarcerated individuals and external parties to execute financial crimes.#nitin_gadkari #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #jayesh_pujari #hindalga_central_jail #ats_officer
