Police on Tuesday claimed Sunil Kumar, the doctor who received a Rs 2 crore extortion demand from Bhishan Singh (41), knew about the conspiracy but kept it under wraps.

The revelation came after the police arrested Bhishan from Chhapra.

Sunil had received a letter via speed post on December 3 in which the demand for money was made. The letter bore the name and photograph of Ashok Kumar Singh, who called himself a henchman of Mokama MLA Anant Singh. However, the police found that Ashok had no role in the case and it was Bhishan, a Chhapra-based rural medical practitioner, who had sent the letter. The police revealed on December 9 that Bhishan hatched the conspiracy to frame Ashok as he was jealous of the latter's proximity to a woman homeguard jawan he had fallen for. The police also found Bhishan and Sunil knew each other.

When the matter reached the police on December 4, then senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vikas Vaibhav provided a bodyguard to Sunil before Agamkuan police began its probe. Sunil runs a private hospital in the Old Bypass area. On Tuesday, SSP Manu Maharaaj said appropriate legal action would be initiated against the doctor for hiding evidence. Also, the bodyguard provided to him would be immediately withdrawn, the SSP said.

"Bhishan, the main accused and conspirator who had been absconding, told us that Sunil knew about the conspiracy," Maharaaj said.

"More investigations are on. The doctor will face action if Bhishan's version is proven. Sunil didn't tell police anything and even enjoyed bodyguard facility. In fact his partner Nagendra Sharma, another doctor, too, knew of Bhishan's motives. He too faces action. Call data record shows Bhishan had called Nagendra. More evidence is being collected."

Bhishan told The Telegraph he knew Sunil for 13 years. "He had even come to Chhapra clinic to conduct surgery on my request," Bhishan said. On December 9, I called him many times on his cellphone to apologise (for his ordeal) but Sunil never answered. So I spoke to his hospital partner Nagendra, who said he would pass on the message to Sunil. A day or two later, I called Sunil again but he asked me not to call him."

Sunil, who is a general surgeon, rubbished Bhishan's claims.

"All this is an utter lie," he said. "I have no clue about all this. Bhishan had called me only last evening and I didn't say anything to him and disconnected the phone. And neither did Nagendra call me at any time. It was I who texted Bhishan's number to the police last night after which he was arrested. I don't know from where these stories are arising. As for the bodyguard, he is still with me."