Two accused of halting solar project, demanding 1.5cr

Rajkot: A 38-year-old contractor has filed a complaint at the Bilkha police station in Junagadh district, alleging extortion, threats and caste-based abuse linked to a solar power project he was undertaking.The complainant, Rajesh alias Bhavesh Makwana (38), a resident of Rabarika village in Rajkot district, told police that he is engaged in solar plant construction and general contracting work. He alleged that Uday Vank and Karan Jebaliya, residents of Bilkha village, interfered with the solar project at Navagam Mota Avdatiya village and demanded Rs 1.5 crore.According to the FIR, in Oct 2025, solar power companies had leased land from local farmers within the limits of Navagam Mota Avdatiya village for setting up a solar plant. After work began, the two accused allegedly secured contracts for supplying construction material and machinery, including sand, gravel, water tankers, tractors and earthmovers, at the project site.Police said the dispute arose when the accused allegedly demanded additional contracts for other project operations and maintenance work. The company refused, citing that the rates quoted were nearly double the prevailing market prices.Makwana alleged that following this, the accused repeatedly visited the site and disrupted work. In Jan, they allegedly demanded Rs 1.5 crore and threatened to stall the project and kill him if the money was not paid. In Feb, they allegedly abused him using caste-based slurs and threatened to stop work by deploying an earthmover machine.Police have registered an offence under Sections 308(4), 351(3), 296(B) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and have launched an investigation.