Kanpur Bullion Trader Receives ₹50 Lakh Extortion Threat, Home Fired Upon

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh - The rising audacity of criminals in Kanpur has sent jitters through the business community after a bullion trader in Govind Nagar's Q Block was subjected to a chilling extortion attempt, complete with a terrifying shooting incident at his home.

Anil Gupta, also known as Guddu, who owns Seth Ram Kumar Gupta Jewelers in the Bilhaur area, received a menacing phone call on June 8th while en route to his shop. The call, though brief, was followed by a more direct threat later that evening.

Upon returning home around 9:30 PM, as Gupta was taking items from his car's trunk, two assailants on a motorcycle fired a shot at him. He narrowly escaped injury as the bullet struck his gate, sending his family into a state of panic.

Moments after the terrifying incident, Gupta received another call from an unknown number. The caller explicitly linked the shooting to the extortion demand, stating, "Guddu, if you want to stay alive, give me 50 lakhs." Subsequent calls to the same number went unanswered after Gupta's father tried to engage with the callers to inquire about the payment method. The phone has since been switched off.

The entire incident has been captured on CCTV cameras installed near Gupta's residence, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing police investigation.

DCP South Deepen Nath Chaudhary confirmed that a complaint has been registered and assured prompt action. Police have traced the location of the extortion calls to Unnao and are actively working to identify the assailants using the CCTV footage. DCP Chaudhary stated that the accused would be apprehended soon.

The incident has sparked outrage among local bullion traders, who are demanding a swift resolution to the case. They have indicated that if the culprits are not caught quickly, their association will meet with the Kanpur Police Commissioner to submit a memorandum, emphasizing the need for enhanced security for the business community.