Surat: A labour union leader has been booked for allegedly extorting Rs 10,000 from a trader in Khatodara by threatening to disrupt his business, damage his reputation and create trouble for his family.According to the complaint, the accused, Ajay Dubey, approached trader Deepak Shukla at his business premises and demanded money, threatening severe consequences if Shukla failed to pay Rs 50,000.Dubey is active in the ongoing labour protest by embroidery unit workers, who are demanding weekly holidays and better working conditions. According to the complaint, he sought money from Shukla to support the protest.Dubey has also been posting videos on social media claiming that his efforts have led to the exodus of labourers from Surat, alleging that embroidery unit owners are denying workers weekly holidays and dismissing them from their jobs.On Oct 8, Shukla posted a video urging labourers not to be misled by anyone and to work honestly in Surat. Two days later, on Oct 10, Dubey called Shukla, abused him and threatened him.In his complaint, Shukla said that Dubey had been harassing him over labour-related issues and demanding money on multiple occasions.Following the complaint, Khatodara police registered an FIR on Monday under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to extortion and criminal intimidation.
