Fake Journalists Demand ₹1 Lakh from Bengal CAA Applicant, Threaten Infiltrator Smear Campaign

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In an alarming extortion attempt targeting vulnerable applicants seeking legal Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), two digital content creators posing as investigative journalists allegedly barged into a migrant family's residence in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, demanding an extortion payout of ₹1 lakh. The suspects explicitly threatened the family that if the cash was not immediately paid, they would fabricate and circulate sensational video reports across digital and social media networks branding them as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, orchestrating public outrage to force their deportation. Refusing to succumb to psychological intimidation and blackmail, the targeted family immediately approached law enforcement, lodging a formal written complaint at the Dhupguri police station to initiate criminal proceedings against the impersonators.

Home Invasion and Coercive Interrogation: How the Shakedown Unfolded in Sakoyajhora-II

According to the details outlined in the police complaint, the affected family originated from Bangladesh and has been peacefully residing as long-term inhabitants within the rural jurisdiction of Sakoyajhora-II Gram Panchayat under the Dhupguri administrative block. Having fulfilled the statutory parameters laid down under the Citizenship Amendment Act, the family recently submitted their formal online citizenship applications through the official central portal. Exploiting this legal submission, the two accused content creators arrived at their residence under the pretext of conducting journalistic inquiries, subjecting family members to aggressive, unauthorized questioning regarding their documentation before issuing the ₹1 lakh extortion ultimatum.

Police Launch Manhunt: Digital Harassment and Blackmail Under Strict Scrutiny

When the household firmly declined to entertain the illicit demand, the self-proclaimed media operators turned hostile, issuing open warnings that viral smear footage labeling them as cross-border trespassers would be released across internet platforms to provoke administrative action and social ostracization. Taking cognizance of the serious allegations, officers at the Dhupguri police station registered the complaint and initiated a formal investigation to verify the identities, digital channels, and prior extortion activities of the accused creators. Police officials stated that strict legal action is being pursued under relevant penal provisions covering criminal intimidation, extortion, and impersonation, ensuring that applicants legitimately seeking citizenship under central statutory frameworks are protected from predatory online syndicates and rogue vigilantes.