Did a Bihar Doctor Receive a Rs 20 Lakh Extortion Threat from Jharkhand Jail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Surgeon Suryanand Singh threatened for Rs 20 lakh.
- Call originated from Jharkhand jail.
- Police are actively investigating the incident.
- Concerns raised about the safety of medical professionals.
- Organized crime suspected in the region.
Patna, June 11 (NationPress) A disturbing incident of extortion and intimidation has surfaced in Bihar, where Suryanand Singh, a prominent surgeon located in Jamui, was reportedly threatened via phone by an unknown caller demanding Rs 20 lakh as extortion money.
As per police reports, the call originated from Deoghar jail in Jharkhand on June 4 at approximately 2 p.m., with the caller identifying himself as Parihar.
The caller employed a menacing tone and insisted that the payment be made immediately.
At the time of the call, Singh was attending to patients at his Jamui–Malaypur Road hospital.
Though the number seemed to be disconnected later, another call from the same number was received on June 9 at 1:45 p.m.
Singh refrained from answering initially but promptly informed senior police officials when the call recurred.
On June 10, Singh lodged a formal complaint at the Jamui Sadar police station, which triggered rapid action from law enforcement.
Jamui Superintendent of Police, Madan Kumar Anand, verified the occurrence and stated: "An FIR has been filed under the applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. The investigation is ongoing."
SP Anand also noted that the Call Detail Records (CDR) of the phone number are under scrutiny, and measures are being taken to secure the safety of the doctor and his family.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) district unit has also intervened in this situation.
Expressing grave concern regarding the protection of healthcare professionals, IMA members convened with senior police officials, demanding urgent security for Singh and a crackdown on such criminal activities.
Considering the method and coordination of the calls, police officials suspect this may be a part of a burgeoning organized crime network targeting wealthy professionals in the area.
"Such threats are utterly intolerable. We will ensure the culprits are brought to justice swiftly," SP Anand assured.
In the meantime, this incident has incited fear within the local medical community, which is now advocating for increased police monitoring and protective measures.