Cop robs man of Rs 30 lakh, hunt on for his associate

CHENNAI: The Esplanade police have arrested an armed reserve policeman attached to the city police for robbing 30 lakh, suspected to be hawala money, from a man on Tuesday. Police have launched a hunt for his aide.
The policeman, identified as 2010-batch constable Senthil Kumar, had befriended a conman who was employed in Burma Bazaar. Inquiries revealed that Senthil Kumar learned about the hawala money movement and informed him.
Senthil Kumar, a native of Gingee near Villupuram, and his associate were on the trail of a man named Azhaguraja of Kallakurichi, who was often employed as a courier moving hawala money during late night hours.
Senthil Kumar and his friend intercepted Azhaguraja near Dr Muthusamy Bridge and forcefully took him on their bike. They stopped near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore and asked Azhaguraja to collect the cash at the Esplanade police station, after displaying a fake receipt for the cash. Azhaguraja informed his owner in Mannadi about the incident, and later filed a police complaint at Esplanade police station.
On information, Esplanade inspector Kaliraj and his team gathered CCTV footage and traced the suspects. During questioning, Azhaguraja told police that one man was in khaki Senthil Kumar.
Senthil confessed that he had taken 10 lakh from the sum looted, while his associate escaped with 20 lakh cash. Senthil Kumar was remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a court on Tuesday. A team has been formed to nab the other suspect. Further investigations are on.