Ex-employee storms shop, demands 10L

Kolkata: An extortion case has been registered by Lake Town police against a history-sheeter and his associate for allegedly demanding Rs 10 lakh from a trader and threatening to kill him if the money was not paid within seven days. The prime accused allegedly claimed to possess a firearm.The case was initiated following a written complaint by a 46-year-old plumbing goods trader from Dum Dum Park. Cops said the prime accused had previously worked at the trader's shop as a daily-wage labourer. The victim later cut ties with him after learning about his alleged criminal background, which includes a pending murder case, a CBI inquiry and an earlier arrest.Cops said the accused, accompanied by an aide and several unidentified men, allegedly entered the business premises on June 6 and demanded Rs 10 lakh as "protection money". A probe is on to trace the absconding suspects. Police have booked the prime accused under Sections 308(4) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS. —Dwaipayan Ghosh