Dhoni's family gets extortion letter; security beefed up

[Guest Hiten.]

RANCHI: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's family has received an extortion letter, demanding Rs 50 lakh, from suspected local criminals following which police said on Wednesday they have taken "all precautionary measures" and further tightened security. Police said that the letter was sent to Dhoni's family by a person claiming to be a member of the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's gang but maintained "it is actually a letter that has originated locally from a colony which is very much inside Ranchi and not very far from where Dhoni lives". Suspecting that the letter could be a job of "local criminals," Inspector General and Jharkhand Police spokesman S N Pradhan said, "The perceived threat from the underworld gangs is for the moment ruled out". He, however, said that "we are taking all precautionary measures and I am sure it will be sorted out quickly". Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Sampat Meena said, "We got information yesterday that they (Dhoni's family) received a letter by post demanding extortion money". She told a press conference here that "after preliminary investigation we find that it is the handiwork of one Taslim, a local criminal facing extortion charges". Taslim has been absconding for a long time, she said. Reports published in Hindi newspapers here have said that Dhoni's father Paan Singh had received the letter on December 29 from one Taslim who claimed that he was a member of Dawood's gang. Meena said security has been tightened and personnel of Special Task Force have been deployed to guard Dhoni's residence at Mecon Colony here. Dhoni has been briefed about the security, she said. Pradhan said, "It appears to be an act of mischief by local criminals. In that colony there are two rival groups that tend to trap and expose each other. So we believe this is some kind of mischief going on but we would not like to underplay it." He said Dhoni enjoyed security cover on par with high "Z" category and that "it has been upgraded". Extra police forces have been deployed in and around his house, he said, adding that "when he moves there is plenty of security". Meena said names of some people mentioned in the letter have criminal background and were facing charges under the arms act. "Police have not yet found Taslim having any link with Dawood Ibrahim (as mentioned in the letter). A team has been set up under the leadership of an assistant superintendent of police to investigate the matter further," she said. Asked at what time yesterday police received information about the letter and whether the family had been reportedly asked to deliver the sum demanded at some shop, Meena said, "time is not of any importance and police are investigating the contents of the letter". Dhoni, who returned to Ranchi yesterday after leading India to a test series win against England, "has been provided escort for his movement," Meena said. Replying to questions, the SSP said preliminary investigation has not yet established any conclusive evidence on the claim by the sender of the letter that he had links with Dawood Ibrahim. "Prima facie it appears to be a local criminal gang's mischief, and details will be given once the investigation is completed," she said. Dhoni's security was enhanced last year after reports of threat to him from Naxalites. He has been a regular visitor to Deori temple, about 40 kms from here, and the road to the shrine passes through Naxal pockets source : toi ..and most of the people dream of living dhoni's lifestyle :dontknow:

[h4te]

i never understood why everyone wants to be a celebrity/famous..... its prolly the worst thing that can happen to you, esp. in India. You have NO privacy at all.....more respect for the many that go through it all :hatsoff: brb, being an average person...

[Guest dada_rocks]

Simple MLA lives a threatened life let alone big celebrities..

[Sachinism]

Dhoni gets extortion call from Mumbai's D gang New Delhi: The family of Indian team skipper Mahender singh Dhoni reportedly received an extortion call of Rs 50 lakh. The demand was made through a letter posted at Dhoni's Ranchi residence and it was made by a Mumbai based shooter of the D gang. The Dhoni family has handed over the the letter to the Superintendent of Police of Ranchi and has demanded extra security cover. The local administration has enhanced the security cover at Dhoni's residence in wake of the extortion letter. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dhoni-gets-extortion-call-from-mumbais-d-gang/81654-5.html