Six including a Delhi policeman arrested for running extortion racket

New Delhi: Six persons, including a Delhi Police constable, have been arrested for allegedly running an extortion racket here, in which they used to 'honey trap' their victims and then demand money from them, police said on Tuesday. 

The Crime Branch has arrested six accused, identified as Krishna Nand Bhat, Jeet, Tabassum, Nidhi Singh, Ankita and constable Pradeep, who was posted in Burari police station, said Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Crime).

Pawan, who works as a clerk in ESI Hospital, Rohini, Sec-16 told police that he was receiving calls from a woman asking him to come and meet her at her room in Burari, said the officer.

Pawan then went to to meet the woman at Begali Colony, Burari on November 17.

"Two persons posing as a cop and a reporter entered the room and started beating him. He got scared when they said that they were going to inform his family about his wrongdoings," said the officer.

They demanded Rs 25 lakh for letting him go. He paid Rs 15 lakh for his immediate release and was asked to pay Rs 10 lakh later. He mustered courage and decided to inform police.

After the accused were established, the investigating team zeroed in on the woman identified as Tabassum.

"On December 18, an information was received that Tabassum would be travelling to Shahjahanpur from New Delhi railway station for attending the marriage of her sister. She was arrested from the railway station and she led police to her accomplices," said the officer.

During investigation, it emerged that Pradeep Kumar, who is posted as constable in Burari was also involved.

"He had given the mobile number of the complainant, who happens to be his brother-in-law. Pradeep knew that the victim is well-off and if trapped, he could be extorted of a handsome amount. Out of the extorted amount, Rs 6 lakh was kept by the constable," said Yadav.
One of the other accused, Krishna Nand Bhat is a reporter and runs his own weekly newsletter.