Bengaluru: In a shocking case of impersonation and organised extortion, Bengaluru police have arrested four men who posed as police officers, forcibly entered a house in Vidyaranyapura, assaulted the resident, and extorted cash by threatening him with false drug charges.
The accused have been identified as Mallikarjun alias Malli alias “PSI Mallanna”, Pramod, Vinay, and Ritvik. The gang allegedly wore police uniforms, carried a lathi and iron rod, and claimed to be real police officers to intimidate the victim.
How the Crime Unfolded
According to police, the incident occurred on December 7, when the accused barged into a residence claiming they were sub-inspectors conducting a raid. They allegedly threatened the occupant by accusing him of ganja and drug peddling, assaulted him, and forced him to hand over ₹87,000 in cash. The gang also coerced the victim into transferring additional money from his bank account.
Initially believing the men to be genuine police officers, the victim later grew suspicious when no official police team followed up. He then alerted local authorities, leading to a detailed investigation by Vidyaranyapura police.
Fake PSI with Real Uniform
Investigators revealed that the prime accused, Mallikarjun, is a native of Ballari who had twice appeared for the PSI recruitment examination and failed. Despite this, he allegedly projected himself as a serving PSI, got a police uniform stitched from a local tailor, conducted photo shoots in uniform, and moved around the area creating a false image of authority.
Police said the gang targeted victims based on information provided by co-accused Ritvik, who tipped them off about individuals who could be easily intimidated using false criminal allegations.
Seizures and Investigation
During the arrest, police recovered:
- ₹87,000 in cash,
- Evidence of illegal bank transfers,
- A police sub-inspector uniform,
- Tools used for intimidation, including a lathi and iron rod.
All four accused have been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to determine whether the gang was involved in similar crimes elsewhere in Bengaluru.
Police Warning to Citizens
Bengaluru Police have urged citizens to verify the identity of officers, seek official ID, and immediately report suspicious activity. “No genuine police officer will demand money or conduct raids without proper documentation,” a senior officer said.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ನಕಲಿ ಪಿಎಸ್ಐ ಬಿಲ್ಡಪ್ ನೀಡಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ನುಗ್ಗಿ ದರೋಡೆ: ವಿದ್ಯಾರಣ್ಯಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಲ್ವರ ಬಂಧನ
About the Author
