Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A former railway employee has accused Shariq Machhli, uncle of notorious drug trafficker Yaseen Machhli, of abducting him, assaulting him, and extorting Rs 50,000.
The victim, Rajesh Tiwari, alleged that on October 29, 2021, Shariq and three aides kidnapped him at gun-point from Ashoka Garden and took him to a farmhouse in Hathaikheda.
He said he was held hostage for 16 hours, forced to consume MD drugs and beaten with belts and sticks. During his confinement, he was also made to transfer money under duress.
According to Tiwari, the conflict began after he refused to display posters of Shariq and a minister on a Ganesh festival tableau. He further alleged that Shariq retaliated by getting his shop demolished under the pretext of encroachment and made attempts to seize his land.
He also claimed that false rape and attempted murder cases were filed against him, which eventually led to his dismissal from railway service.
Ashoka Garden police station in-charge Anurag Lal said investigations are underway based on Tiwari’s complaint and further action will be taken accordingly.
Tiwari’s allegations come shortly after the Crime Branch busted a drug and firearms trafficking racket allegedly run by Shariq’s nephew, Yaseen Machhli.
How Machhli aides built illegal homes
Domestic helps and drivers of Shariq Machhli’s family allegedly grabbed government land worth crores near Hathaikheda Dam. Homes were constructed using forged documents (danpatra) and power connections were fraudulently obtained. An illegally run ‘Madarsa’ by one Atiqurehman also surfaced in the area.
Acting on a revenue officials’ report, Bilkhiriya police registered seven FIRs on July 26 against over a dozen people, including family drivers Rakesh Yadav and Rajendra Sahu. Five persons have been arrested and sent to jail so far.
Bilkhiriya police station in-charge Umesh Chauhan confirmed the arrests but said no FIRs have been filed against any core family members of Shariq Machhli yet.
