Two arrested for bid to extort money from agricultural officer in Asifabad

Two persons, who reportedly identified themselves as journalists, were arrested by Asifabad police on charges of intimidating an agricultural officer and attempting to extort money from him.

The arrested persons were identified as 30-year-old B. Devender and D. Suresh, both natives of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district and currently residing at L.B. Nagar in Hyderabad, police said.

The arrests followed a complaint lodged by the agricultural officer, based on which the police registered a case against the duo.

According to the police, the first accused allegedly brought pressure on the officer to get the licence of a trader cancelled in an attempt to settle a personal dispute with the trader. However, an inquiry by the concerned officials found that the trader possessed a valid licence and the required documents.

The accused allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh from the officer and received ₹1.30 lakh on July 26 after allegedly intimidating him through social media posts on different pretexts, the police said.

A police team arrested the duo in Hyderabad on Friday evening. Further investigation is underway.

(Eom)