The Gujarat anti terrorism squad (ATS) arrested Deep Shah on Feb 28, a close associate of the prime accused, Manavadar circle police inspector (PI) Taral Bhatt, and the person behind giving Bhatt the bank details of 386 accounts in this high-profile police extortion case.

In his interrogation, Shah confessed to taking ₹10 lakh in commission for providing the bank details.

A 10-day remand was requested for Shah by the ATS. However, declining this request, the court sent the accused to jail. The court also reprimanded the ATS for the delayed investigation into this case.

Links between Deep Shah and the Taral Bhatt extortion case

Suspended CPI Bhatt was arrested by the Gujarat ATS over his involvement in a massive fraud case that involved extorting money over unfreezing illicitly frozen bank accounts.

Junagadh special operations group (SOG) cum cybercrime cell police inspector (PI) AM Gohil and the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) at the office, Dipak Jani, were two of the prime associates of Bhatt’s extortion nexus.

It has been revealed that the details of 386 accounts given by Bhatt to PI Gohil and ASI Jani were initially obtained by Shah through searching on the internet and paying a token fee.

Shah was mentioned during Bhatt’s interrogation after he was nabbed near Ahmedabad. ATS took Shah’s statements on Feb 17 and 27. After which, he was arrested on Feb 28.

ATS probe of Deep Shah

ATS also produced Shah in Junagadh court, seeking his remand.

Shah had arranged for an Excel sheet of the account details to be made by an individual named Rakesh.

It is alleged that Shah was associated with the extortion over the online betting scam from the beginning. A Dubai resident, Birju Shah, had made two hefty transactions to Bhatt of ₹27 lakh and ₹9 lakh through the Angadia service. Shah took his share of the commission out of this amount.

Deeming his presence necessary during the investigation of this case, Judge HA Dave rejected Shah’s remand plea, sending him to jail.

Also read:

Gujarat’s police extortion case: Accused PI Taral Bhatt files bail plea

PI Gohil, ASI Jani made chief witnesses in Taral Bhatt extortion case

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