AMC opposition leader accuses resident of defamation, extortion over viral Facebook video

The Ahmedabad Police have registered an FIR against a man for allegedly uploading defamatory videos against an opposition councillor and demanding crores in ransom to take them down. The accused, identified as Rafiq alias Vyapari Sheikh, has been booked under charges of criminal intimidation, defamation, and extortion following a complaint lodged at the Isanpur police station.

Shehzad Khan Nasir Khan Pathan (37), a councillor and leader of the opposition in the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), alleged that Rafiq Sheikh, a resident of Danilimda, had uploaded a Facebook Live video containing abusive and defamatory remarks against him. Pathan claimed that the video was widely circulated on social media, tarnishing his reputation.

Pathan stated in his complaint that Sheikh and his brother had earlier been running an illegal water and electricity supply business at Chandola Lake. After the AMC demolished the unauthorised structures in the area, Sheikh allegedly blamed Pathan for the loss of his income and began targeting him on social media.

Pathan further said that Sheikh had previously been booked in a case of electricity theft, and after the demolition, he began threatening to “harass and defame” the councillor by posting more such videos.

The FIR mentions that on October 25, Pathan’s friend Imran Makrani approached Sheikh to ask why he was posting such videos. Sheikh allegedly told Makrani that he would stop uploading defamatory content only if Pathan paid him ₹2 crore, gave him a three-room flat in Shalimar, and handed him the management of two local mosques.

The next evening, on October 26, around 9 pm, Sheikh allegedly reiterated his demand during a phone conversation with Makrani, threatening that if the councillor failed to meet his demands, he would release more videos and escalate the matter by demanding a ransom of ₹100 crore.

Based on the complaint, police have booked Sheikh under sections related to extortion, criminal intimidation, and defamation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A senior police officer said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused had used social media to malign the complainant’s image and subsequently attempted to extort money by threatening to release more defamatory content. Technical evidence and mobile communication records are being examined.”

Police said further inquiries are underway to determine whether others were involved in the alleged extortion attempt.