Court sentences Vishal Goswami, two others to five years in ₹50 lakh extortion case

A metropolitan court has sentenced Vishal Goswami—described by police as a key figure in a long-running extortion network—and co-accused Rinku Goswami and Satishgiri Goswami to five years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to extort ₹50 lakh from a city jeweller nearly a decade ago. All three were found guilty of issuing threats and demanding money through repeated calls.

The court also imposed fines of ₹1.75 lakh each on Vishal and Rinku Goswami, and ₹4 lakh on Satishgiri Goswami. It directed that the fine amounts be paid to the complainant as compensation. Four other accused were acquitted for lack of evidence.

Court cites clear evidence of coordinated extortion

In its judgment, the court held that the prosecution had proven the charges “beyond doubt”. It noted that phone records, bank transactions and documentary material showed that the accused operated in a coordinated manner to demand ₹50 lakh from the complainant. The court observed that the seriousness of the offence warranted a strict sentence “in the interest of justice”.

Threat calls and deposits detailed in complaint

According to the case records, jeweller Harshadbhai Jhinjhuwadiya of Naranpura began receiving threatening calls from unknown numbers during 2014–15. The callers, later identified as members of the Goswami gang, allegedly demanded ₹50 lakh and sent multiple bank account numbers for depositing the money.

Under pressure, Harshadbhai deposited about ₹11 lakh, which was later withdrawn by the accused. His son, Dharmeshbhai, subsequently filed a complaint with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch.

Prosecution outlines gang’s operations

Special public prosecutor Chetan Shah and additional public prosecutor Kamlesh Jain presented bank statements, call detail records, witness accounts and other documents to argue that the accused were part of an organised group targeting jewellers in Ahmedabad. They submitted that the gang had previously extorted significant sums and operated with planning and division of roles.

First GUJCTOC case registered in Gujarat

The Goswami gang became the first group to be booked under the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act (GUJCTOC) after the law came into force in the state. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested four members of the outfit from Meghaninagar and recovered a cache of weapons during the investigation.

Police stated that the gang had been active in issuing threats to jewellers and other business owners and demanding large amounts of money.

Extensive criminal record cited by investigators

Investigators also listed a series of cases in which Vishal Goswami is alleged to have been involved, including:

Robbery of ₹12 lakh from the Bank of India branch in Bhuj in 2011

An attempted robbery at Muthoot Finance in Vastral

Robbery of ₹5.50 lakh from Ahmedabad District Bank in Vatva

Shooting jeweller Pankaj Soni and looting ₹2.50 lakh

An attack on Gold Palace Jewellers owner Prakash Patel

Loot of ₹2 lakh from jeweller Prakash Soni in Vejalpur

A failed attack on Nand Jewellers in Ghatlodia

A ₹10 lakh demand from Hallmark Jewellers in Sola

Involvement in an attack on the owner of Bhanu Jewellers

Police said the gang’s repeated involvement in extortion and violent crimes had posed a persistent threat to the city’s business community.