A serious allegation of extortion of Rs 50 lakh was made against Municipal President Irfan Saifi in Thakurdwara, know what he said in his defence…

Yameen Vikat, Thakurdwara. There was huge chaos in Thakurdwara of Moradabad district on Saturday when a team of the municipality reached with a force to set up a ‘Khokha’ on the land of a businessman. The matter became more serious when the victim businessman directly accused the Municipality Chairman of demanding a huge extortion money of Rs 50 lakh. After this incident, angry businessmen and BJP leaders surrounded the police station, due to which an atmosphere of tension is created in the area.

Actually, this whole dispute started regarding the land lying near the shops of Avnish Kumar Singhal, owner of Parakh Jewellers, located just in front of the police station. It is being told that on Saturday morning the municipality employees reached there with an iron kiosk in a tractor-trolley and started trying to keep it. The businessman claims that this land is in his name by registered deed, while the municipal administration is calling it government property.

‘If money is not given then try to capture the land’

The allegations made by businessman Avnish Kumar Singhal have created a stir in the politics of Thakurdwara. Avneesh alleges that Municipality Chairman Irfan Saifi was demanding extortion money of Rs 50 lakh from him for the last four months. In his complaint to the police, he said that even on Saturday morning, a special person of the Municipal President had come to him and threatened that “if the money is not received today, a kiosk will be set up on your land.”

The businessman says that he flatly refused to pay the money, after which an attempt was made to forcibly take possession of his private land in retaliation. According to Avneesh, he has been facing this mental harassment for a long time and now when the matter became unbearable, he has taken refuge in the police.

Municipal President’s clarification: “This is a war to save government land”

On the other hand, amid these serious allegations, Municipality Chairman Irfan Saifi has also presented his stand strongly. He rejected the allegations outright and called it a conspiracy. Irfan Saifi says that the municipality has 20 shops in Khasra number 51. According to him, “There were kiosks there earlier too which were removed. We got information that government land was being encroached upon, so we sent a team to remove the municipal kiosk there.”

Questioning the businessman’s claims, the Municipal President said that he never even talked to the person making the allegations. He demanded a police investigation and said that the location of his and the businessman’s mobile phones should be checked, which would turn milk into water. However, the business side is calling this argument as just their defence.

Trade Board’s warning: “If action is not taken the market will be closed”

Uttar Pradesh Small Industries Trade Board has also come into the field to protest against this incident. A meeting of the traders was held in which it was unanimously decided that if strict action was not taken against the Municipal President, then there would be an indefinite strike by closing the markets in the entire city. BJP leaders have also supported the victim businessman and demanded the police administration to register a case as soon as possible.

The police officers present at the spot pacified the traders and assured investigation into the matter. Police say that further legal action will be taken on the basis of investigation of land papers and statements of both the parties. However, this ‘Khokha controversy’ in Thakurdwara has given rise to serious questions like corruption and extortion, the echo of which has now reached the government and administration.

Businessman’s health deteriorated due to stress, admitted to hospital

This entire incident and the pressure of alleged extortion has deeply affected the health of the victim businessman Avneesh Singhal. It is being told that after the uproar on Saturday and a heated argument with the municipal administration, Avneesh suddenly complained of nervousness. Seeing his deteriorating condition, his family members immediately admitted him to the hospital.