Police in Kanpur have filed seven FIRs as part of a crackdown on an alleged network of “extortionist” YouTubers. 

It began with two FIRs last month against TV journalist Avaneesh Dixit and 12 other suspects over an alleged bid to take over government land with a market value of over Rs 1,000 crore. Four more FIRs were subsequently filed against Dixit and his alleged accomplices, who include “YouTubers”, according to the police. And the seventh FIR was filed against a YouTuber already named in another case against Dixit.

Most of the accused are absconding, according to the police. 

Bharat Samachar journalist Avaneesh Dixit already had eight cases against him for alleged extortion and fraud, police said. He was arrested earlier this month by a massive police squad, including staff from 11 police stations and three ACP-rank officers.

Cops deny link to journalistic activities

Additional DCP Lakhan Yadav said the police action is not linked to journalistic activities. “FIRs have been registered against people who call themselves journalists and then engage in extortion.”

Additional CP (law and order) Harish Chander said the police are probing 20 other complaints against alleged extortionists, and that most of the suspects named in the FIRs so far were YouTubers. “We cannot tell you the exact number. Whoever these people are, they are all from Avneesh’s gang…we have found a lot of evidence which shows that all of them used to work like a gang. They used to occupy lands and extort money…we are imposing gangster charges on them.”

The first two cases

The two cases were filed on July 28 after Avaneesh Dixit allegedly tried to take over 7,500 square metres of nazul (state) land in the Civil Lines pocket through force and forged paperwork. These cases were lodged on the basis of complaints from a lekhpal and the plot’s caretaker.

The land in question was given on lease in 1884 for a period of 99 years. The lease was renewed and Additional DCP Lakhan Yadav said a district magistrate-rank officer had in 2010 ordered that no action could be taken on the plot without the DM’s permission. But Dixit allegedly led a group of men who trespassed the land, clashed with the caretaker, removed the padlock, and put their locks on the entrance. 

“One Harendra Masih from Jhansi conspired to take over this land through a firm. After this, he gave power of attorney to Avaneesh. Masih is at large. Attempts to arrest him are ongoing,” Yadav said, adding that the suspects tried to forge documents to take over the land. 

Newslaundry reached out to the complainants in the two FIRs but they refused to comment on the issue.

The police subsequently launched a campaign against alleged extortionists, issued helpline numbers, and reopened old cases. “There will be no respite for fear-mongering and extortionist YouTube-Facebook-WhatsApp journalists,” said police commissioner Akhil Kumar.

The subsequent FIRs and a curious case

In the subsequent crackdown on “extortionists”, another FIR was lodged at Harvansh Mohal police station on August 3, accusing Shubham Mishra of K News and Nitin Singh of Shashwat Times of trying to extort Rs 10,000 from a hotel’s management. It was based on a complaint by the hotel owner.

Both of them have been arrested in the case which also named Dixit.

Newslaundry reached out to K News and Shashwat Times for comment. This report will be updated if a response is received.

Two more FIRs were filed on August 5 at Hanumant and Barra police stations, naming Abhishek Sharma, who works for Dainik Lok Bharati. The case at Barra also named Dixit and was lodged within 15 minutes of the first.

However, Pappu Gautam, the complainant in the first FIR, didn’t seem to agree with the version based on which the case was filed at Hanumant police station.

The complaint alleged that Abhishek put up a board under his name outside Pappu’s plot, assaulted him and used casteist remarks. But Pappu said, “I had not seen any board. My children who were at home must have seen it.” Asked if he knew Abhishek, he said, “He never came to me.”

Asked about the complaint, Pappu said, “Whatever documents the police asked for, I gave them. I did what they said. Photos were taken of the board that was put up. The police themselves came to my home to ask for documents.”

The FIR invokes BNS sections 323, 504, 506, 447, and 452, along with provisions of the SC/ST Act.

Abhishek, meanwhile, claimed that the police were targeting him.

“Someone complained that I had put up a board and tried to capture some land when I don’t even know that man…they are filing cases and raiding. It is torture….a second case has been filed against me, saying that I asked for money from a liquor shop owner, when I don’t even know the people named in the FIR. It just says that I was standing there,” he claimed.

Reached for comment, Hanumant police station’s SHO refused to speak.

Additional CP (law and order) Harish Chander said Abhishek should “approach the high court and prove that the police has filed a fake FIR”. “Just come to our office for one day and sit for the public hearing. You will be able to see the truth. Except for the old cases, there is not a single case that has been filed by the police. All the cases have been filed by the public.”

Newslaundry reached out to Kanpur commissioner Akhil Kumar. This report will be updated if a response is received.

‘He used to ride a moped, now he has countless properties’

The last case against Dixit before his alleged land grab attempt was filed at the Kotwali police station in January, based on a complaint from Dinar Times editor Alok Agarwal. An FIR was lodged under IPC sections 323, 504 and 506 after Agarwal accused Dixit of assaulting him outside the commissionerate’s office. 

“Dixit used to ride a moped but today he has countless properties and luxury cars. He had his web spread out across the city. His business was grabbing land, threatening people and extorting money in the garb of journalism. He assaulted me…He has an entire gang which carries out such actions with help from others…YouTubers especially,” claimed Agarwal.

However, Dixit’s wife Pratima Dixit has denied all the allegations against her husband and accused the police of harassment.

A post on the Bharat Samachar website after Dixit’s arrest claimed that it was a “false case” filed by the Kanpur police as its inability to control crime had left it “frustrated”. “He has been the president of the Kanpur press club…his arrest has triggered anger within the media fraternity.”

“According to the information received, Avaneesh Dixit had gone to cover the matter in which he was arrested. The police made a case and filed a complaint that Dixit was encroaching on the land. There was no proof and no witness from the spot but he was arrested late at night. A case was filed by the lekhpal but it was not a strong criminal case…so by forcibly taking a written complaint from one party, another case was filed for robbery etc. Dozens of people were booked in the case but only Avaneesh Dixit was arrested.”

Newslaundry reached out to Bharat Samachar for comment. This report will be updated if a response is received.