The owner of a city-based paramedical nursing school and college has been allegedly receiving extortion calls since September 16.

Middle-aged Umesh Prasad Gupta lodged an FIR on September 22 at Alamganj police station in Patna City. He said he received at least five calls, in which the caller demanded Rs 50 lakh or be prepared to face “dire consequences”.

“The first call came on September 16. Initially, I thought it was a joke but the threats started coming frequently. The caller asked me to arrange Rs 50 lakh and leave it near the Bypass. I have also been told to arrange the money fast or face dire consequences. The caller threatened to kill my younger son who lives with us,” Gupta said.

He, however, alleged that the police have failed to do anything so far. “They (police) just said these calls are coming from Kidwaipuri and Kumhrar. Both these places are in Patna,” the businessman said.

Police claim they are doing their best to crack the case.

“We have started the probe. The call records are being traced and we are trying to locate the mobile towers. We expect a breakthrough soon,” an officer at Alamganj police station said.

Gupta, who is the owner of National Institute of Health, Education and Research, Patna, said he was worried about the security of his family.

“The institute has been operational since 1995 and provides training in paramedics and nursing. It is affiliated to the Indian Nursing Council of India. I also have another medical college in Simultala in Jamui. Even there, I received a letter from suspected Maoists who demanded a fine of Rs 20 lakh for not taking their permission before opening the institute. They also demanded a monthly extortion of Rs 30 lakh. I had lodged an FIR, but the police have not been able to do anything yet. I am worried about my family,” Gupta said.