KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan, chairman of controversial anti-crime non-governmental organisation MyWatch, and his driver have been remanded until Friday to facilitate investigations into an alleged extortion bid from an illegal gambling operator.

His lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said he expects his client to be freed once the remand order expires.

While the remand period is relatively short, it is understood that the police may request for an even longer remand period when the initial period ends on Friday.

According to police, Sanjeevan, 31, had allegedly contacted the 38-year-old operator at about 2pm on Wednesday and threatened to expose the latter’s gambling operation unless he is given “protection” money.

It is believed that the operator lodged a police report fearing for his safety and the safety of his family but agreed to meet Sanjeevan later on the pretext of handing over the money.

More than eight hours later, the operator met Sanjeevan at the Nilai toll plaza and handed over RM25,000 cash before a team from the Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department (CID) D7 division swooped in and arrested Sanjeevan and his 26-year-old driver, who is an Indian national with an expired work permit.

Further inspection of Sanjeevan’s vehicle led police to some RM16,000 cash along with five mobile phones.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the arrests.