January 23, 2025: In a shocking revelation, the Noida Police have arrested Pankaj Parashar, the founder of two local news portals, along with his associates Dev Sharma and Awadhesh Sisodia, for their alleged involvement in an extortion racket. Parashar, known for running Tricity Today and Uttar Pradesh Times and serving as the president of the Noida Media Club, is accused of using his media platform as a tool for coercion.

The police stated that Parashar and his associates targeted Manoj Kumar, summoning him to Pari Chowk on November 8, 2024, under the pretense of seeking his input for a news report. However, the meeting turned sinister as the trio allegedly demanded money and threatened to publish defamatory content about Kumar if he refused. The threats reportedly escalated to warnings of violence, including the possibility of hiring a shooter to harm him.

Kumar's complaint prompted an investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. During the operation, the police recovered Rs 6.3 lakh in cash, two vehicles, and 14 car registration certificates tied to the notorious Ravi Kana gang. The authorities also discovered documents and approximately 15–20 suspicious bank accounts allegedly used for illegal financial transactions by the gang.

Investigations have revealed call records linking the accused to Ravi Nagar, alias Ravi Kana, a gangster currently in jail for extorting money from scrap dealers. The evidence points to a broader criminal network involving the misuse of journalistic platforms for extortion and other illegal activities.

All three accused have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, and the police have assured that the investigation is ongoing to uncover additional details about their operations and links to the Kana gang. The case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of media for unlawful purposes, prompting calls for stricter scrutiny of such practices.