They say being a celebrity comes at a price. But sometimes that is taken too seriously. Celebrities often get threats and extortion calls, just because they are famous and out in the media and public eye. Under the radar of extortionists came filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who got calls from an unidentified caller asking for an extortion amount of Rs 50 lakhs.
Mahesh Bhatt was getting calls and messages over WhatsApp demanding the money, failing which the individual even threatened to kill his daughter Alia and wife Soni Razdan.
The incident took place on the night of February 26, and being prompt, the Bhatts immediately filed a FIR with Juhu Police Station. The case was then transferred to the Mumbai Police’s Anti-Extortion Cell (ANC), who investigated the matter promptly with the help of the other police departments.
According to an India Today report, Mumbai Police sources divulged that Mahesh Bhatt got the call from a gang leader demanding 50 lakhs. And, if the demands were not fulfilled the caller said,
“I WILL FIRE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF BULLETS INTO ALIA AND SONI.”
Senior Bhatt assumed it to be a prank, initially, but when he started getting threats over WhatsApp, he acted immediately.
Reports suggest that the caller was identified to be from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra Police and UP Police have been acting together to catch the extortionist.
The case was registered on Wednesday night and the security was beefed up. Earlier today, Mahesh Bhatt tweeted saying that the matter was nipped in the bud and lauded for the Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Police.
A bolt from the blue in the form of an extortion call & threat to my family was nipped in the bud by the MH & UP police in tandem.Gratitude!
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) March 2, 2017
And, then he posted a message about unity which stands true in the situation.
All of us is better than one of us !!
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) March 2, 2017
Back in 2014, 13 people belonging to a certain D gang, who were plotting to eliminate Bhatt and his family, were arrested. And, this threat came two years after that incident.
News Source: India Today, Hindustan Times