Union Minister’s wife alleges blackmail,files police complaint

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Union Minister VK Singh’s wifeBharti Singh has filed a police complaint here against a manalleging that he was trying to extort Rs two crore byblackmailing her with "doctored" audio-video clips to defameher husband. In her complaint lodged at Tughlaq Road police station,Singh alleged that Pradeep Chauhan, a resident of Gurgaon, hadeven threatened her of "dire consequences" if the money wasnot paid. "We are investigating the matter and the accused has beenquestioned by us. He will be called for second round ofquestioning soon. He is not yet arrested," said a seniorpolice officer. The FIR was filed under IPC sections 384 (extortion) and506 (criminal intimidation) on August 12. The complainant said that Pradeep was known to her as afriend of her nephew. She alleged that he had been calling herfor a few days threatening to make public the "doctored" audioand video clips, contents of which were not known to her. The accused allegedly called her several times andthreatened to "ruin" her husband’s reputation. He allegedlycalled repeatedly on the night of August 6. Singh also alleged in her complaint that the accused hadposted a video on Youtube levelling false allegations againsther husband, who is Minister of State for External Affairs inModi government, and family. She also expressed "grave threat" to her securityalleging that Pradeep was a "dangerous" man who carried guns.PTI VIT SLB VITRT