GUWAHATI: The Central Police District of Guwahati Commissionerate on Saturday, July 4, has arrested 39-year-old Avik Das, alias Abhimanyu Das, in connection with a case of armed extortion, physical assault, and wrongful confinement. A subsequent raid at his residence in Chapaidong, Bonda, led to his apprehension and the seizure of a large cache of firearms and ammunition.
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According to police, the accused and the victim, Bishan Sonowal, had a prior business relationship that soured after financial losses from a joint venture. The victim had recently worked as a manager at the accused's BPO from June 18 to June 28, during which he was allegedly subjected to continuous threats.
The situation escalated on June 28 when the accused summoned the victim to his residence and, armed with a pistol, demanded ₹5,50,000 in extortion money. Police said the accused fired a warning shot near the victim's feet, assaulted him, and coerced him into signing documents and transferring ₹3,00,000 online. The accused also allegedly seized the victim's Maruti Baleno car as "security" and threatened to scrap it, while repeatedly harassing the victim's fiancée over the phone.
Following an FIR filed by the victim on July 2, Pragjyotishpur Police Station registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. A police team raided the accused's residence, arresting him and recovering the victim's car. An empty cartridge found at the entrance corroborated the firing incident.
During the search of the premises, police seized a substantial arsenal comprising one pistol and three rifles. Specifically, the recovery included an Indian-made Cheetah .30 caliber (7.62×25mm) pistol with three magazines, a 7×57mm bolt-action rifle, an antique double-barrel rifle, and a .177 caliber air rifle. Alongside the firearms, officers seized a massive cache of over 360 live rounds of ammunition. This included 102 live rounds of .30 caliber ammunition, 156 live rounds for the 7×57mm rifle, 50 rounds of 70mm high-velocity Shaktiman Express cartridges, and 60 live rounds of .325mm cartridges, plus a container of air gun pellets. Additionally, 80 empty cartridges of various calibers were recovered from the scene.
Records show Das is a history-sheeter with four previous charge-sheeted cases across Assam. Investigations are ongoing to verify the arms license and probe possible illegal arms procurement links.