Five arrested in New Town for extorting money posing as NIA and IPS officers
Kolkata: Five persons were arrested in New Town for allegedly extorting money by posing as IPS officers and National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials.
Police sources informed that sleuths recently came to know about some 'NIA officials' who had visited some offices in New Town regarding some investigation and demanded money from several offices.
On Tuesday night, police came to know that the same officials had come to an office near Akansha crossing. Immediately, a team reached the office and confronted the so-called NIA officials and asked for their identity cards.
According to sources, the said NIA officials tried to dominate the on-duty Sub-Inspector Pravakar Adhikary, by saying that an IPS officer of SP rank was there, who would arrange a departmental inquiry against him.
Seeing their behaviour, Adhikary sensed foulplay. Despite the accused persons trying to dominate him, the Sub-Inspector again asked for their identity cards. This time, an identity card was shown.
Adhikary immediately informed his superior officers about the said incident and Bidhannagar Police got in touch with NIA Salt Lake office, where it was verified that there is no such officer in the NIA. Immediately, all five of them were detained.
During a search that followed, police found a lighter which exactly looked like a 9 mm pistol. A red SUV fitted with a blue beacon on the roof and police sticker pasted on the front and rear windshields, a bike and some fake identity cards were seized from them.
Later, the five accused identified as Dilip Sharma of Golabari, Howrah, Amar Sharma of Muchipara, Gopal Karmakar of Dum Dum, Sanjoy Show of Beliaghata and Fakaruddin Ali of Narkeldanga Main Road, were arrested.
They have been booked under sections 384 IPC (punishment for extortion), 419 IPC (punishment for cheating by personation), 468 IPC (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 120B IPC (punishment for criminal conspiracy). The accused stated that they needed money urgently to start a business, which led to their actions.
