Kolkata: Howrah police have arrested four persons on the charges of extorting money posing as CID officials.
The incident took place at Howrah's Uluberia on Sunday night. The accused were extorting money from the heavy duty trucks in Malpara area of Uluberia on the National Highway 6. Police said the accused parked a car fitted with beacon light and a sticker of 'Income Tax' on the car.
The accused stopped loaded trucks on the National Highway 6 on Sunday night and demanded a huge amount of money.
They introduced themselves as CID officials and also threatened the drivers with dire consequences if they failed to meet their demands.
After being informed, police rushed to the spot. The accused managed to flee the spot before the police could reach.
A truck driver told the police that the accused took around Rs 3,000 and a mobile phone from him.
Police then chased the vehicle and managed to intercept the car a few kilometers away from the spot. Police arrested the four accused on various charges.
Police said the accused flashed fake ID cards while extorting money from the truck drivers. According to preliminary investigation, police came to know that the impostors used to conduct raids at various shops.
The accused have been charged with cheating and extortion posing as CID officers. "They are being interrogated and we are also investigating whether more people are involved with the gang," a senior police officer in the district said.
According to police, the accused are all residents of Taratala area in the city. The investigators are yet to confirm the identity of the accused, aged between 30 and 35.
Police said the accused used to conduct fake raids at various places posing as CID officials. Police have started a detailed probe in this regard.