CHANDIGARH: Punjabi film actress and model Himanshi Khurana has allegedly received a death threat from gangsters demanding ₹10 crore as extortion money, prompting the registration of a criminal case in Punjab’s Mohali district.
According to police sources, an email purportedly sent by Harry Boxer, an aide of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, warned Khurana of dire consequences if the demand was not met. The message reportedly threatened to kill her if she failed to pay the amount.
Acting on her complaint, the Punjab Police registered a case at Sohana police station in Mohali under Sections 308(4) and 352(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with extortion and criminal intimidation. Police officials said an investigation has been initiated to trace the origin of the email and identify those mentioned in the complaint.
Authorities said the threat appears to be part of a growing pattern of extortion attempts targeting celebrities. In recent months, similar threats have been reported by film personalities, including Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty, singer B Praak, and actor Ranveer Singh, raising concerns about the increasing reach of organised crime networks.
Khurana, 34, began her career as a model before making her mark in Punjabi cinema. She gained recognition for her role in the film Sadda Haq and rose to wider popularity after participating in the reality television show Bigg Boss 13. She is also a prominent social media influencer with a large fan following.
Police officials said security aspects are being reviewed and necessary measures will be taken to ensure her safety. Investigators are also examining possible links with other recent extortion threats to determine whether a coordinated network is involved.
Senior officers indicated that cyber experts have been roped in to analyse the email trail and track its origin, while intelligence inputs are being gathered regarding the involvement of gang operatives based in India and abroad.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the increasing incidents of extortion threats to celebrities and businesspersons in Punjab and other parts of the country.