Five arrested for extortion posing as IT officers

Surat: People of Kosad village which falls under the limits of Amroli police station nabbed five persons,

including two women

, on Sunday for their attempt to extort money from a local resident posing as income tax officers. The impostors were later arrested by police and investigations launched in the case.

Police arrested Geeta Thakkar, 45; her son, Prem; Shital Dhamecha; her husband Aashish; and Kamlesh Patel. The accused were booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code for extortion, impersonating as public servant and trespass on a complaint lodged by Minakshi Patel, 44, a resident of Kosad.

Police investigation revealed that the accused came to Minakshi’s house on Sunday and introduced themselves as income tax officers. The accused asked the complainant to take out whatever cash she had. Minakshi gave them Rs50,000 lying in the house.

Meanwhile, locals gathered at the spot and questioned them. The accused got scared and tried to escape but were nabbed by the people and handed over to police.

Police investigation revealed Minakshi’s cousin Kamlesh, who has also been arrested, had planned to extort her in association with other accused. The accused would be questioned if they had extorted others similarly, said a police officer of Amroli police station.