Two sub-inspectors posted at Lohiyanagar police station in Meerut have been accused of abducting a local yarn trader and extorting ₹20 lakh by threatening to implicate him in a fabricated criminal case. A confidential inquiry has found the allegations to be prima facie true, following which both officers have gone absconding. Police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest them.
According to police sources, the incident involves a trader from the Lisari Gate area, identified as Rasik, who is engaged in the yarn business and also runs property and import-export operations in Meerut and Dubai. Officials said the businessman had recently sold a parcel of land and received a large sum of money, which allegedly made him a target.
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Investigators said a purported police informer allegedly conspired with the two sub-inspectors, both said to be from the 2023 batch, to extort money from the trader. A few days prior to the complaint, the officers allegedly abducted him in a car and threatened to send him to jail in a false gold smuggling case unless he paid a hefty amount. Under pressure, the trader allegedly paid ₹20 lakh to secure his release.
The situation escalated when, about seven days later, the same officers allegedly contacted the trader again and demanded an additional ₹10 lakh. At this point, the victim approached senior police officials, including the district police chief and the city police leadership, and submitted a written complaint.
Confidential probe backs victim’s claims
Following the complaint, a confidential internal inquiry was initiated. As part of the probe, investigators analysed the mobile phone location data of the victim and the two accused officers. Officials said the location records showed that all three mobile phones were at the same location at the same time on the day of the alleged extortion.
Police have also reportedly secured video footage in which a car can be seen moving around with the businessman allegedly held inside, further corroborating the allegation of illegal detention.
The two sub-inspectors were subsequently summoned for questioning. During the process, police managed to recover ₹15 lakh of the extorted amount. However, after assuring officials that they would return the remaining ₹5 lakh, both officers allegedly went missing. Their absence has since been officially recorded, and multiple teams have been conducting raids at possible hideouts.
FIR being prepared, suspension and dismissal likely
Police officials said a criminal case is being prepared on the basis of the victim’s complaint. The accused sub-inspectors are expected to be booked under several serious charges, including extortion, kidnapping, illegal detention, criminal intimidation, corruption, and other relevant sections of law.
Senior officials indicated that once the FIR is formally registered, both officers will be placed under suspension, and a proposal seeking their dismissal from service will be sent to the state government for further action.
The case has raised serious concerns within the police establishment, with officials stating that strict action will be taken to ensure accountability and to send a strong message against abuse of authority.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
