Latest news with #Shaik
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria prosecutor and constable in the docks for extorting R1.6m
Pretoria prosecutor and constable in the docks for extorting R1.6m A suspended prosecutor and a Wierdabrug police constable who allegedly demanded payment of R1.6-million in exchange for a businessman's release were granted bail on July 30 by the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. The court granted bail to the pair after they were charged with extortion. Advocate Avinash Ramapararat (45), the suspended prosecutor based at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik (37), a police officer stationed at Wierdabrug Police Station, were each granted R5 000 bail. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, in February 2024, Shaik allegedly contacted the businessman and requested that he report to the Wierdabrug Police Station regarding a fraud and theft case opened by Agynt Commodities. Mahanjana said the case was related to a coal transaction between Agynt and the businessman's company in 2023. Upon arrival, the businessman was arrested by Shaik and placed in a holding cell. While in custody, the two accused allegedly demanded payment of R1.6-million in exchange for the businessman's release. She said the businessman paid the money and was later released. Mahanjana said that after a few months had passed, the businessman made a follow-up on the case, and was told the case number given to him was unrelated to his matter. 'He then reported the incident to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, which led to the arrest of both accused on July 25.' Mahanjana said: 'During their bail application, the State did not oppose bail, as both accused had co-operated with the investigation, were not deemed flight risks, and had confirmed residential addresses. 'In addition to the current matter, the pair also face separate charges of extortion and corruption in a case before the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court.' Mahanjana said the court postponed the matter to October 24 for the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision, while the separate matter will return to court on October 27 for disclosure. She said the NPA is committed to fighting crime, including within its ranks. She said Ramapararat was placed on suspension pending finalisation of internal disciplinary processes. LISTEN: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Star
30-07-2025
- The Star
Constable, prosecutor on bail for R1. 6m extortion allegation
A police constable and a suspended prosecutor have been granted bail after being accused of extorting R1.6 million from a businessman detained in Pretoria. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court set bail at R5 000 each for Advocate Avinash Ramapararat, 45, and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik, 37, during their bail hearing on Wednesday. Both face charges of extortion. Advocate Ramapararat was previously stationed at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit but is currently suspended. Constable Shaik is assigned to Wierdabrug Police Station. The two are alleged to have demanded a large sum of money from a businessman in exchange for his release from custody. The incident dates back to February 2024, when Shaik contacted the businessman regarding a theft and fraud case connected to Agynt Commodities. The case arose from a coal transaction dispute between the companies in 2023. Shaik allegedly instructed the businessman to come to the Wierdabrug Police Station, where he was immediately detained and placed in a holding cell. While the businessman was in custody, both accused allegedly demanded R1.6 million to secure his release. The complainant reportedly paid the amount and was subsequently released. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that months after the payment, the businessman sought updates on the case, only to be informed that the case number provided to him was unrelated to his matter. Realising something was wrong, the businessman reported the alleged extortion to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. This prompted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Ramapararat and Shaik on 25 July 2025. The State did not oppose bail during the hearing, citing the accused's cooperation with the investigation, verified addresses, and low flight risk. Both accused are also facing separate charges related to extortion and corruption in a different case at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court has postponed the extortion case to 24 October 2025, awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Meanwhile, the separate case involving the pair will return to court on 27 October 2025 for disclosure. The National Prosecuting Authority reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption, especially within its own ranks. 'Advocate Ramapararat was placed on suspension pending the outcome of internal disciplinary procedures,' Mahanjana said. This case has drawn public attention due to the involvement of law enforcement officers in serious criminal conduct. It highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within institutions meant to uphold the law. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely watched as South Africa continues to address issues of integrity and accountability in its justice system.
IOL News
30-07-2025
- IOL News
Constable, prosecutor on bail for R1. 6m extortion allegation
While the businessman was in custody, both accused allegedly demanded R1.6 million to secure his release. A police constable and a suspended prosecutor have been granted bail after being accused of extorting R1.6 million from a businessman detained in Pretoria. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court set bail at R5 000 each for Advocate Avinash Ramapararat, 45, and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik, 37, during their bail hearing on Wednesday. Both face charges of extortion. Advocate Ramapararat was previously stationed at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit but is currently suspended. Constable Shaik is assigned to Wierdabrug Police Station. The two are alleged to have demanded a large sum of money from a businessman in exchange for his release from custody. The incident dates back to February 2024, when Shaik contacted the businessman regarding a theft and fraud case connected to Agynt Commodities. The case arose from a coal transaction dispute between the companies in 2023. Shaik allegedly instructed the businessman to come to the Wierdabrug Police Station, where he was immediately detained and placed in a holding cell. While the businessman was in custody, both accused allegedly demanded R1.6 million to secure his release. The complainant reportedly paid the amount and was subsequently released. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that months after the payment, the businessman sought updates on the case, only to be informed that the case number provided to him was unrelated to his matter. Realising something was wrong, the businessman reported the alleged extortion to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. This prompted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Ramapararat and Shaik on 25 July 2025. The State did not oppose bail during the hearing, citing the accused's cooperation with the investigation, verified addresses, and low flight risk. Both accused are also facing separate charges related to extortion and corruption in a different case at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court has postponed the extortion case to 24 October 2025, awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Meanwhile, the separate case involving the pair will return to court on 27 October 2025 for disclosure. The National Prosecuting Authority reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption, especially within its own ranks. 'Advocate Ramapararat was placed on suspension pending the outcome of internal disciplinary procedures,' Mahanjana said. This case has drawn public attention due to the involvement of law enforcement officers in serious criminal conduct. It highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within institutions meant to uphold the law. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely watched as South Africa continues to address issues of integrity and accountability in its justice system.
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- The Citizen
Cop and prosecutor get bail in R1.6 million extortion case
The Pretoria court granted bail to a prosecutor and police officer accused of extorting R1.6 million from a businessman. A police constable and suspended prosecutor are out on bail after allegedly extorting R1.6 million from a detained businessman in exchange for his release. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court granted bail of R5 000 each to Advocate Avinash Ramapararat (45) and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik (37) on Wednesday on charges of extortion. Ramapararat is a suspended prosecutor who was based at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU). Shaik is a police officer stationed at Wierdabrug Police Station. Extorting R1.6 million from detained businessman Shaik is accused of contacting a businessman in February 2024 and asking him to come to the Wierdabrug Police Station in relation to a theft and fraud case that Agynt Commodities had opened. The case related to a coal transaction between the two companies in 2023. ALSO READ: Crime Intelligence CFO, co-accused granted bail in burglary cover-up Shaik detained the businessman upon arrival and put him in a holding cell. 'While in custody, the two accused allegedly demanded a payment of R1.6 million in exchange for the businessman's release,' National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said. 'The complainant paid the money and was later released.' Incident reported to Hawks Mahanjana said that after following up on the case at the police station many months later, the complainant was told that the case number he had been issued had nothing to do with his issue. The businessman then reported the incident to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), which led to the arrest of both accused on 25 July 2025. ALSO READ: Woman who allegedly stole more than R1.1m to spend New Year's Day in jail The state did not object to bail when the accused applied for it because they had cooperated with the investigation, were not considered flight risks, and had verified their residential addresses. In addition to the current matter, the pair also faces separate charges of extortion and corruption in a case before the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. Cases postponed to October The Pretoria Magistrate's Court postponed the matter to 24 October 2025 for the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision, while the separate matter will return to court on 27 October 2025 for disclosure. 'The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption, including within its ranks. Advocate Ramapararat was placed on suspension pending finalisation of internal disciplinary processes,' Mahanjana said.
New Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pooram row: Police HQ returns file on Ajith Kumar without remarks
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Police Headquarters (PHQ) has returned to the state government the report of former State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb on ADGP M R Ajith Kumar's alleged lapses during the 2024 Thrissur Pooram, without adding any remarks. The file was returned to the government last week as incumbent Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar took a stand that there was no ground for him to add any remarks on the report, which was prepared by his predecessor after a detailed inquiry. Earlier, the state government had forwarded Shaik's report to the PHQ seeking remarks of the new head of the force. The move of the state government had appeared outlandish as the report was prepared after a detailed probe by the former police chief, who is senior to Ravada. Sources said the PHQ took a stand that it had no locus standi to give remarks on Shaik's report as the current police chief was never part of any investigation conducted against Ajith. The act of the state government referring the report to the PHQ had raised a few eyebrows. Many felt it was part of the ploy to delay acting on Shaik's report, which reportedly carried critical remarks against Ajith. If Ravada had given remarks suggesting a mild action against the officer, it could have given the government an excuse to go soft on the officer, sources felt. Shaik had filed his report with the government in the last week of June, just days before his retirement, where he reportedly stated that there were lapses from Ajith's part during the pooram. Revenue Minister K Rajan had testified that when the pooram faced disruption, he tried to reach Ajith over phone and that he did not respond.
