The city police have arrested the Chief Executive Officer of a local Kannada news channel for blackmailing a city-based businessman and demanding a ransom for not airing derogatory news bulletins against him.
Based on a complaint filed by the victim, the Koramangala police caught Lakshmiprasad Vajapai (42), CEO of Janashri News Channel, while accepting first instalment of the ransom at his office on Friday. The police have also arrested Vajapai's assistant Mithun, who received the money, and booked both for extortion.
According to the police, Vajapai is a habitual offender. Explaining his modus operandi, the police said that Vajapai would select a businessman and then air some negative news about him. He would then contact the person and threaten to put out more information and record on his Janashri Channel that could destroy the person’s business and reputation. He would then extort money.
A similar case was registered against the Vajapeyi and his associates at Commercial Street Police station earlier this year for extortion of ₹ 10 Cr and jewellery worth ₹30 lakh from a businessman. Vajapai had received the ransom ₹10 Cr through bank transaction in the name of various entities. The total demand was made for ₹15 Cr.
Another FIR is pending against Vajapai at Mahalaxmipuram police station for extortion using same MO.
M.B. Boralingaiah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast division) said that the police is probing Vajapai’s antecedents and other such cases of extortion.
