Influencer had gangster links she used to extort money: Cops in Shiva Sharma case

The investigation into the death of Lucknow businessman Shiva Sharma has taken a dramatic turn, with police examining alleged links between prime accused Shraddha Dubey and history-sheeters associated with criminal networks, including the underworld.Investigators are scrutinising her alleged connections with individuals linked to the Mukhtar Ansari gang, as well as claims that she used these associations to intimidate people, extort money and blackmail victims.According to the latest details emerging from the investigation, the social media influencer allegedly cultivated relationships with criminals and leveraged their influence to pressure people into meeting her demands.She reportedly claimed to have direct links with the Mukhtar Ansari gang and allegedly arranged for associates to threaten those who refused to comply with her demands. LINKS WITH PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS?The investigation has led police to Abhishek Singh, alias Babu, a history-sheeter from Lucknow's Madiyav area who is described as a close associate of the Mukhtar Ansari gang.Photographs of Dubey with Babu Singh have surfaced on social media, drawing attention to their alleged association. Sources indicate that Dubey allegedly used Babu Singh's criminal network for protection and to exert pressure on others.However, her relationships with such individuals were reportedly short-lived, with her allegedly distancing herself once she had achieved her objectives.Babu Singh has a criminal record that includes an alleged kidnapping and assault case dating back to December 2020. According to the available details, his associates kidnapped tent businessman Vivek Kumar Rawat when Singh was in jail, allegedly to secure his release on bail.Rawat was reportedly held hostage and assaulted for around two-and-a-half hours. The accused allegedly forced him to lick spit from the floor and struck him with a pistol butt while demanding a ransom of Rs 10,000.The incident has resurfaced amid scrutiny of Dubey's alleged links with people accused of serious offences.Another photograph of Dubey, this time with a man identified as Zulfikar, has also emerged. Zulfikar faces allegations of fraud involving Rs 5 crore.A video purportedly showing Dubey with him is circulating widely on social media. The nature of their association and its relevance, if any, to the murder investigation remain to be established.ALLEGATIONS OF EXTORTION, BLACKMAILInvestigators are also examining allegations that Dubey operated an extortion racket by befriending people and inviting them to her residence.She allegedly accused visitors of theft after they arrived, threatened to initiate police action and demanded money to settle the matter.Further allegations suggest that she recorded private photographs and videos of some individuals and later used the material to blackmail them.According to these claims, victims who attempted to end their association with her were threatened with legal consequences and public humiliation.These allegations have not been established in court.SHIVA SHARMA DEATH PROBEShiva Sharma, 28, died on October 9 after falling from the fourth floor of Dubey's flat in Lucknow's Hazratganj area.His mother, Ranjana Sharma, has accused Dubey of murder, assault and blackmail, alleging that her son was subjected to harassment and physical abuse before his death.Police have registered a murder case against Dubey, her sister, their driver and two other people. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, chats and other evidence to reconstruct the events leading to Sharma's death.They are also investigating a white Audi bearing a 'Secretariat' label that arrived at the apartment complex shortly after the fall.Shraddha Dubey has been absconding since the incident, and police are examining the list of history-sheeters and other associates she allegedly maintained contact with.Teams are expected to question more of these individuals to establish her whereabouts and identify possible hideouts.Investigators are continuing to pursue leads while examining the allegations against Dubey and her associates.Their questioning and analysis of electronic and other evidence are expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding Sharma's death and determine whether the alleged criminal connections have any bearing on the case.- Ends