'Freedom 251' smartphone maker, 2 others arrested in extortion case

NEW DELHI:

Mohit Goel

, founder of Noida-based company

Ringing Bells

, which had once announced the world's cheapest smartphone 'Freedom 251' and two others were arrested on Sunday for allegedly trying to extort money from a businessman to "settle a gang-rape case", police said.


Goel was arrested on Sunday evening from Netaji Subhash Place in northwest Delhi.

On March 6, a case was lodged in Alwar district of Rajasthan on the basis of a complaint from a woman who had alleged that she was raped by five businessmen.

The woman said that she was called to attend an event at a hotel, where she was allegedly raped by the five. The police had subsequently arrested all the five accused.

"The police have arrested three members of a gang, who were trying to extort money to settle a rape case registered by one of them against the brother of the complainant and others in Rajasthan," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Aslam Khan said.

"The names of the other arrested persons, apart from Goel, would be revealed after the role of each one of them was ascertained," she added.

In 2016, Ringing Bells made headlines by offering smartphone at a cost of Rs 251 only. After that the company faced a slew of technical challenges that eventually led to its closure.

(With inputs from agencies)


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