Date:06/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/06/stories/2008070659110400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Held for posing as policeman, taking bribe

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The city police arrested an impersonator, who posed as a police officer and demanded bribe from a timber merchant on Friday.

Commissioner of Police R. Sekar said Sridhar of Pallikarani approached Murugadoss, a timber merchant of Seven Wells, and claimed to be an Inspector attached to the City Crime Branch. He told Murugadoss that there were several complaints against him and that he had been designated as a special officer to investigate the cases.

When Murugadoss pleaded innocence, Sridhar demanded a bribe of Rs. 5 lakh and took Rs. 17,000 as advance. He told Murugadoss to settle the dues at the office of the Police Commissioner, Egmore. Accordingly, Murugadoss handed over some money to Sridhar at the Commissionerate. On seeing this, a few police personnel questioned Sridhar and he was taken into custody.