The city of Prayagraj, currently under the intense scrutiny of law enforcement and political observers following the high-profile case involving gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, has become the center of a shocking new scandal. A local resident, reportedly defrauded of a significant sum, has accused a relative couple of operating an alleged extortion racket by leveraging the fear surrounding the ongoing crackdown on the Atiq Ahmed syndicate.
In a dramatic development that underscores the critical role of judicial oversight, a First Information Report (FIR) has finally been registered against the accused at the Puramufti Police Station on the specific directive of a local court. The victim alleges that he was coerced into paying ₹15 lakh, with the accused demanding a total of ₹25 lakh, under the pretense of removing his name from a purported Special Task Force (STF) list that falsely implicated him as a close associate of the notorious mafia figure, Atiq Ahmed.
I. 🛑 The Anatomy of the Alleged Extortion Plot
The complainant, identified as Mohammad Mian alias Sheru, a resident of Lal Bihari in Bamrauli, Prayagraj, has brought forth grave allegations against his relatives, Lucy Siddiqui and her husband, Zafar Naeem. According to Sheru, the duo exploited his familial trust and the prevailing atmosphere of fear in the region to orchestrate the sophisticated financial fraud. The core of the complaint centers on a series of elaborate threats, including the ultimate menace of a police encounter and the demolition of his residential property—a pattern often linked to the state’s drive against organized crime.
A. The Fake Notice and WhatsApp Ploy 📱
The sequence of events, as detailed by Mohammad Mian, began subtly but menacingly. On June 19, an unsolicited WhatsApp message arrived on his phone from an unknown number. This message contained what appeared to be an official notice, falsely bearing the letterhead or insignia of the state’s elite STF. The chilling content of the notice purported to designate Sheru as a close associate, or “aide,” of the recently deceased Atiq Ahmed.
Alarmed by the potential implications of such a document, Sheru sought to verify its authenticity. This is when the accused allegedly seized the opportunity. Lucy Siddiqui, a relative, reportedly reached out and urgently summoned him to her residence.
- Key Action Points of the Accused:
- Isolation: Pressuring the victim to avoid contacting external authorities or law enforcement.
- False Assurance: Claiming to possess “high-level contacts” within the STF and the ability to “settle” the matter discreetly.
- Fear Mongering: Exaggerating the severity of the alleged STF involvement and the consequences of the supposed “Atiq Ahmed connection.”
B. The ₹25 Lakh Demand and the Encounter Threat
Once isolated and thoroughly terrified, the accused, Lucy Siddiqui and Zafar Naeem, allegedly escalated their demands. They proposed a financial arrangement to “clear” his name from the fabricated STF list. The initial demand was a staggering ₹25 lakh.
The psychological pressure used on the victim was severe and highly targeted, playing directly on the recent and widely publicized actions taken by the administration against the criminal nexus in Uttar Pradesh.
“They demanded ₹25 lakh to remove my name from the case. They threatened me, saying that if the matter was disclosed to anyone outside, I would be labeled as an Atiq Ahmed associate, subjected to an encounter, and my house would be demolished by the authorities. Fear forced me to comply.” – Excerpt from the victim’s statement.
In a state of panic and fearing for his life and the safety of his family, the victim managed to pay ₹15 lakh to the couple. Following the handover of the cash, he was allegedly reassured that all links and references to his name in the spurious notice would be permanently erased.
II. 🏠 Intimidation and Silence: The Subsequent Coercion
The alleged harassment did not cease with the payment. When Mohammad Mian’s wife, Faima, suggested a direct approach to law enforcement, proposing to visit the STF office to clarify the situation, the accused reportedly reacted aggressively.
The same night, a chilling act of direct physical intimidation occurred. Unidentified, masked individuals allegedly forced entry into Sheru’s home. They reportedly assaulted him and his family and issued a stark warning to maintain silence.
- The Second Threat: The masked men explicitly instructed the victim to forget the ₹15 lakh he had already paid. They further threatened to fabricate false cases against the entire family and ensure their imprisonment if the matter was pursued any further. This act aimed to cement the victim’s silence and prevent any police complaint.
III. 🚨 The Long Road to Justice: Court Intervention
Despite the blatant acts of extortion and intimidation, the victim’s initial attempts to seek justice through conventional channels were unsuccessful, highlighting potential systemic delays or administrative hurdles.
A. Failed Police Complaints
Mohammad Mian asserts that on June 28, 2025, he dispatched formal complaints to several high-ranking officials, including the Police Commissioner and the Chief Minister, detailing the entire ordeal. However, his pleas reportedly went unanswered, and no immediate action was taken on the administrative front.
The lack of official response forced the victim to turn to the judiciary, a crucial safeguard in the democratic process.
B. Judicial Directive Ensures Action
Finding no recourse through the police, Sheru filed a petition in the competent court. After reviewing the evidence and the seriousness of the allegations—particularly the misuse of the Atiq Ahmed fear factor and the explicit threats of encounter and demolition—the court issued a binding order.
In compliance with the judicial directive, the Puramufti Police finally registered a case against the accused couple, Lucy Siddiqui and Zafar Naeem. They have been booked under severe sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deal with extortion, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy.
IV. 🔍 The Larger Context: The Shadow of Atiq Ahmed in Prayagraj
This case must be viewed in the context of the seismic events that have reshaped the law and order landscape in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) and Uttar Pradesh. The recent neutralization of the powerful criminal empire led by Atiq Ahmed and his associates has created a vacuum, but also an environment ripe for exploitation.
A. The Administration’s Anti-Mafia Drive
The state government’s highly publicized and aggressive campaign to dismantle the networks of organized crime, characterized by the use of bulldozer actions against illegal properties and intense police crackdowns, has instilled a genuine fear among citizens connected, even remotely, to mafia elements.
This environment of fear, while intended to deter criminals, is being nefariously weaponized by opportunists. The alleged use of a fake STF notice and the specific threat of “encounter” and “house demolition” demonstrates a clear attempt by the accused to leverage the current political and law enforcement narrative for personal gain.
B. The Need for Public Awareness
Police authorities and administrative bodies need to intensify efforts to create public awareness regarding the authenticity of official notices and the proper procedures for verifying them. This incident serves as a stark warning about the new forms of crime emerging in the wake of the anti-mafia operations, where the fear of law enforcement is used as a tool for crime.
- Safeguards for Citizens:
- Verification: Always verify official notices by contacting the concerned department through public channels, not via the contact details provided in an unsolicited message.
- Police Station Visit: Genuine concerns must be reported immediately at the nearest police station or to senior superintendents of police (SSPs).
- Legal Counsel: Seeking the advice of a lawyer is crucial before submitting to any financial demand from unknown or unofficial sources.
V. ⚖️ Implications and Legal Analysis
The registration of the FIR, even after the initial delay, is a critical step in upholding the rule of law. The charges against the accused are serious and include:
| IPC Section | Description of Offense |
| Section 384 | Punishment for Extortion |
| Section 506 | Punishment for Criminal Intimidation |
| Section 420 | Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property |
| Section 323 | Punishment for Voluntarily Causing Hurt (related to the home invasion) |
| Section 452 | House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault, or wrongful restraint |
The investigation will now focus on:
- Authenticity of the Notice: Determining the origin and nature of the fake STF notice.
- Money Trail: Tracing the ₹15 lakh to the accused couple.
- Identification of Masked Individuals: Identifying the masked men involved in the alleged home invasion and assault.
- Links to Organized Crime: Investigating if the accused have any genuine links to criminal elements or are merely opportunistic fraudsters.
VI. 🔮 Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance in Prayagraj
The alleged ₹15 lakh extortion case in Prayagraj is more than just a family dispute; it is a profound illustration of how the high-stakes climate of anti-mafia operations can be manipulated for personal criminal gain. The victim’s ordeal—from a terrifying WhatsApp message and a massive cash demand to a violent home invasion and an initial bureaucratic failure—culminated in a necessary intervention by the judiciary, which ultimately forced the police to act.
As the authorities proceed with a thorough investigation against Lucy Siddiqui and Zafar Naeem, the case serves as a critical warning to the public: vigilance against opportunistic crime, especially that which leverages the fear of official action and the lingering shadow of the Atiq Ahmed mafia, is paramount. The wheels of justice, though sometimes slow, have now begun to turn, offering a ray of hope to the victim and affirming the principle that no one is above the law, even those who weaponize the threat of law enforcement itself. The citizens of Prayagraj await a swift and conclusive outcome to this disturbing saga.
Suggested FAQs.
❓ Q1: What is the main allegation in the Prayagraj extortion case?
A: The main allegation is that a couple, Lucy Siddiqui and Zafar Naeem, extorted ₹15 lakh from a relative, Mohammad Mian alias Sheru, by sending a fake STF notice and threatening him with an ‘encounter’ and house demolition by falsely linking him to the notorious mafia figure, Atiq Ahmed.
❓ Q2: Why was an FIR registered only after a court order?
A: The victim, Mohammad Mian, alleges that he filed complaints with high-ranking police and administrative officials, but no action was taken initially. He was then compelled to approach the court, which ordered the police to register an FIR based on the severity and substance of the complaint.
❓ Q3: Who are the key individuals involved in the alleged extortion?
A: The key individuals are the victim, Mohammad Mian alias Sheru, and the accused relative couple, Lucy Siddiqui and her husband, Zafar Naeem, all residents of Prayagraj.
❓ Q4: What are the specific threats the victim faced?
A: The victim was threatened with being killed in a police ‘encounter’ (extrajudicial killing), having his house illegally demolished, and being falsely implicated in criminal cases if he failed to pay the demanded amount or spoke about the incident.
❓ Q5: What is the significance of the Atiq Ahmed connection in this case?
A: The accused allegedly leveraged the high-profile and fear-inducing crackdown on the Atiq Ahmed mafia network in Prayagraj to make their threats sound credible and terrifying, thereby successfully coercing the victim into paying the large sum of money.
External Source: www.etvbharat.com
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