‘Mann Bharryaa’ singer B Praak faces 10 cr extortion threat allegedly from Bishnoi gang

Punjab: Singer B Praak has received an extortion threat amounting to Rs 10 crore from a suspected member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Punjabi singer Dilnoor lodged a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Mohali after receiving a threatening call demanding a ransom allegedly linked to B Praak, police said.

Pratik Bachan, better known as B Praak, is a prominent singer and music director in Punjabi and Hindi music, with numerous hit songs to his name, including ‘Mann Bharryaa’ and ‘Ranjha’ from ‘Shershaah’ and ‘Saari Duniya Jalaa Denge’ from ‘Animal’.

According to the complaint, the caller identified himself as Arju Bishnoi and instructed Dilnoor to pass on a message to B Praak demanding a ransom of Rs 10 crore. The caller allegedly warned that there would be serious consequences within a week if the money was not paid.

Dilnoor said he first received two missed calls from a foreign number on January 5, which he did not answer. The following day, he received another call from a different foreign number. When he answered, he found the conversation suspicious and disconnected the call.

Shortly afterwards, Dilnoor received a voice message containing the alleged ransom threat. In the audio message, the caller reportedly reiterated the demand for Rs 10 crore and threatened that B Praak would be harmed if the demand was not met within a week.

Police said they have launched an investigation into the matter and are working to trace the origin of the calls and the voice message.

Bishnoi gang sifting base to Canada

The Delhi Police on Thursday apprehended two alleged shooters linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate known for extortion, targeted shootings and organised crime across several states.

Police said the duo were involved in recent firing incidents aimed at a gym and a businessman, attacks that were allegedly carried out to intimidate victims as part of extortion attempts.

Those arrested were identified as Deepak, a 19-year-old resident of Ghaziabad, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Rohini. 

Further, two men of Punjabi origin linked to the Bishnoi gang were identified by Canadian authorities in December last year as having carried out the shootings at Kapil Sharma’s cafe, hinting that increasingly shifted their base of operations to Canada.

The gang had also claimed responsibility for the shootings at Punjabi singer Chani Nattan’s home in Canada, in October last year.

(With agency inputs)