Trader alleges extortion, defamation via YouTube videos

Rajkot: A 54-year-old transport businessman and political-social leader has filed a complaint at Gandhidham City A Division police station, accusing 14 individuals of conspiring to extort money and defame him through online videos.According to the FIR, Juma Raima alleged that the accused uploaded false videos on a YouTube channel and threatened to release ‘obscene content' unless he paid them. He further claimed that the videos were designed to hurt religious sentiments.The incidents date back to 2025, when Raima placed advertisements in newspapers for a religious event. Ibrahim Halepotra, who runs a YouTube channel, reportedly attended the event and demanded Rs 20,000 for coverage. When Raima refused, he was allegedly threatened that the refusal could eventually cost him Rs 20 lakh.The harassment escalated in Feb, when a video accusing Raima of misconduct in his family was uploaded. Another video on March 2 featured a woman from Anjar, alleging that Raima cheated her of Rs 20 lakh in a Mumbai land deal. According to the FIR, she later demanded Rs 20 lakh to keep the matter private and remove the video online.The accused include Irfan Halepotra, Ismail Bafan, Sattar Manjothi, Tahir Bhatti, Ishaq Jat, Latif Gagda, Zakariya Kumbhar, Salim Jat, Amirsah Syed, Iqbal Mandhra, Suleman Rauma, Hanifsha Sheikh, Deepti Thakkar, and Adam Padeyar.The FIR, filed under sections 61(2), 308(3), 299, 351(1), and 356(1) of the BNS, alleges a coordinated conspiracy by the 14 accused to extort money, defame Raima, and outrage religious sentiments.Box‘Scribe' arrested in Morbi for alleged extortionHalvad police have arrested Mehul Bharvad, a local scribe, in connection with an extortion case and a prior 2024 chemical theft case.The arrest follows a complaint filed on Feb 18 by Vasudev Sonagra (40) owner of a local soap and detergent factory. According to the complaint, on Feb 13, Bharvad and his associate Lala Parmar visited Sonagra's factory, recorded a video, and threatened him. They allegedly claimed the factory's labourers were involved in a marijuana case and demanded Rs 5 lakh to prevent a police case and the sealing of the factory. The duo reportedly threatened to upload the video on Bharvad's online platform if the demand was not met.Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS, including 308(6) and 332(C).