Three held for extorting money from gas delivery boy posing as vigilance officials

Three persons were arrested for allegedly posing as vigilance officials and extorting money from a gas delivery boy near Film Nagar.

The accused were identified as 60-year-old Mohammed Manzoor Hassan and 46-year-old Mohd Tousfeeq, working as reporters for a website, and 29-year-old Mohammed Taj, a driver.

According to the police, the trio intercepted the delivery boy and accused him of selling gas cylinders in the black market. They allegedly threatened to report him to his employer and have him dismissed from service.

Police said the accused demanded ₹2 lakh, following which the victim, out of fear, handed over the cash he had collected after making deliveries.

The victim later informed his employer, who lodged a complaint with Film Nagar police. Based on CCTV footage, the accused were identified and apprehended, and ₹23,000 was recovered from them. During questioning, the accused reportedly stated that the remaining amount had been handed over to another person, who is currently absconding.