Corruption
ED Top Officer Arrested by State Police in Extortion Case: Raises Serious Concerns Over Corruption in the Agency
The Panchkula Police arrested Enforcement Directorate (ED) Assistant Director Vishal Deep in Delhi on Friday over allegations of extortion. The arrest came just two days after he secured interim relief from arrest in a separate corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Mumbai.
Extortion Allegations
The case was triggered by a complaint from Vikas Bansal, a Panchkula resident, who alleged that Deep, in collusion with Rohit Gujjar—a purported member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—threatened his family with violence unless they paid Rs 50 lakh. Bansal, whose brother Rajnish Bansal chairs the Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions, had earlier filed a corruption complaint against Deep with the CBI.
According to Bansal, the threats began on January 3, when his nephew received a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be Rohit Gujjar. The caller allegedly demanded that the family drop the corruption case against Deep or face dire consequences. The threats escalated with repeated calls and messages, including details about the family’s residence in Kurukshetra.
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Bansal submitted screenshots of WhatsApp conversations and audio recordings as evidence, leading to the registration of an FIR at Police Station 14, Panchkula. Both Deep and Gujjar have been booked under Sections 308(2) and 308(4) of the Indian Penal Code.
CBI Summons in Corruption Case
Separately, the CBI has summoned Vishal Deep in connection with the corruption case lodged against him. The agency’s Chandigarh office has directed him to appear for questioning on January 11 at 3 p.m. Deputy SP Prakash Chand is heading the investigation into the matter.
The arrest and summons have intensified scrutiny of Vishal Deep’s conduct, raising serious questions about his alleged misuse of authority and links to criminal elements.
