Ahmedabad: A 54-year-old businesswoman running a food product import-export firm from Shilaj has approached the Ahmedabad West women police station, alleging a relentless campaign of criminal intimidation and extortion-style harassment over the phone. Over the past year, the complainant was allegedly bombarded with “up to 40 calls and text messages a day” from constantly shifting phone numbers, all demanding immediate payment for a debt she insists does not exist.The complainant, who coordinates trading operations spanning Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, stated that the calls originate from individuals claiming to represent a recovery agency based in Jaipur. The callers allege that her firm owes money to a third-party import-export company. Despite the business owner repeatedly clarifying that all accounts are clear and no dues remain outstanding, the phone calls have allegedly grown more aggressive.According to the police complaint filed on Friday, the harassment has escalated from mere collection demands into “explicit threats and abusive language” designed to induce panic. The recovery agents have been dialling her personal number at all hours of the day and night. Whenever she attempts to block a number, the callers simply switch to a new line to bypass her restrictions, completely disrupting her work and causing extreme psychological distress, she told the police.The root of the issue appears to stem from a pre-existing legal battle. The businesswoman informed the callers that the financial matter they are referring to is already sub judice. The dispute involves a Mumbai-based entity and an alleged incident of cheating and breach of trust by her former employee. A formal police complaint regarding that specific fraud has already been registered at an Ahmedabad city police station, and the matter is pending in court. She told police that the calls were intended to pressure her and harm her reputation among business associates.
