Delhi Police Cop Pawan Kumar Arrested for Running Rs 2-Crore Gang Extortion Racket
A Delhi Police head constable, Pawan Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly running a Rs 2-crore extortion ring on behalf of the Tillu Tajpuria gang, a criminal syndicate known for its deadly turf war that included a fatal 2021 shootout inside a Rohini courtroom. Kumar, who is the brother of the late gang leader Tillu Tajpuria, was arrested following an extortion First Information Report (FIR) filed on June 27 by a real estate businessman.
According to the police, the victim and his business partner acquired a 3,200-square-yard plot near Khatu Shyam Mandir on GTK Road in north Delhi in December of last year. To fund the deal, the partners secured a Rs 50-lakh loan arranged through Kumar, who was posted with the Reserve Battalion. Although the loan was repaid with interest by April, the situation escalated when the market value of the plot surged to Rs 7 crore.
When the partners put the land up for sale, Kumar allegedly began sending threatening messages to them on WhatsApp. He claimed the initial loan money belonged to a gang leader, Himmat alias Cheeku, and demanded a Rs 2-crore cut from the estimated Rs 3-crore profit. Kumar also threatened a daily penalty of Rs 2 lakh until the amount was paid.
The intimidation turned physical on June 1, when Kumar and five armed associates—including Tarun, Ravi, and Jayant Mann—allegedly forced their way into the businessman's residence using a white Scorpio. Finding only the victim's wife and children at home, the armed men threatened to eliminate the entire family if the extortion money was not delivered.
The FIR states that the suspects claimed the funds were urgently needed to cover legal expenses for the gang’s main leader, Amit alias Dabang, who is currently held in Tihar Jail. The money was also intended to fund the escape of Himmat, who recently jumped parole and fled abroad.
Fearing for his life, the victim temporarily fled Delhi. He reported further harassment, including a June 5 incident where Kumar returned to his house with his face covered, and a June 16 incident where an unidentified youth forced him to speak with a jailed gang member, Jitender, on a mobile phone. Following the June 27 FIR, which was corroborated by CCTV footage, police arrested Kumar. Sonipat Police have also filed a separate extortion case against him.
