Haridwar Police successfully arrested the accused who threatened and demanded money from Ranipur MLA Aadesh Chauhan. The person audaciously posed as the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah when asking the legislator for money. The case was reported on February 14, 2025, by the public relations officer of the MLA at Bahadarabad police. An FIR was subsequently lodged under section 308(2) BNS.
Recognizing the gravity of the case, SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal swiftly assembled multiple police teams under the leadership of CO Jwalapur. Acting efficiently, the teams conducted raids in Delhi and Ghaziabad, leading to the arrest of suspect Priyanshu Pant in Delhi on February 17, 2025. The mobile used in the crime was recovered as well.
Accused's Revelation and Crime Planning
Priyanshu, hailing from Bageshwar, revealed during interrogation that financial struggles and a desire for a luxurious lifestyle drove him to conspire with his associates Uvesh Ahmed and Gauravnath. Together, they targeted Ranipur MLA Aadesh Chauhan, as well as Uttarakhand legislators Shiv Arora (Rudrapur) and Sarita Arya (Nainital). Cases against them have also been registered in Nainital and Rudrapur.
The accused Gauravnath has a prior criminal record. In 2024, he impersonated a secretary of the Prime Minister’s office to extort money from another MLA and was apprehended in Nashik. Uvesh Ahmed was arrested by Rudrapur police and will be brought to Haridwar, while efforts continue to capture the absconding Gauravnath.
