The Punjab Police have busted a major extortion racket being operated by US-based gangster Gurdev Jassal with the arrest of its two operatives. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Surjit Singh has been dismissed from the service under Article 311(2) of the Constitution. The other arrested operative has been identified as Ankus Maini, a resident of Gurdaspur district. The gang used foreign numbers for threats and coordinated payments, ensuring that the extortion funds were routed through multiple intermediaries, the DGP said. The probe revealed that ASI Surjit. Singh and Ankus. Maini were involved in the collection and distribution of extortion funds, he added.Further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, he said. For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
