Cop held for demanding Rs 10L from bizman

Police sources said that the tainted cop, identified as Parameshwaran (36), has already been suspended on similar charges.

Parameshwaran of Perambur, who is said to have joined the department from suspension only 10 days ago, allegedly contacted one Ashok Kumar (46) of Madhavaram over phone and introduced himself as special police team personnel from city police commissionerate. He told Ashok Kumar that he knew of the latter’s business revenues, and demanded Rs 50 lakh as bribe to let him run his business in a smooth manner without any trouble.

Ashok Kumar, who operates about 40 trucks and has his office near Madhavaram CMDA terminal, reportedly started avoiding his calls, but Parameshwaran pursued him continuously. When Parameshwaran called him on Monday and demanded Rs 10 lakh immediately, Ashok Kumar informed Madhavaram police station about the caller.

Police officials made Ashok Kumar call Parameshwaran and asked him to come to Madhavaram police station claiming that he was waiting there with the cash. When Parameshwaran reached the spot, he was surrounded and secured by Madhavaram police.

Investigations revealed that Parameshwaran is attached to Ambattur police station. As per the orders of Madhavaram Assistant Commissioner Ramalingam, Parameshwaran was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Monday. Police sources said that he has been suspended twice for similar charges when he had been posted in Tiruchy.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Ramalingam said that there was no need for an internal inquiry as he was caught red-handed in a criminal case. He also added that such personnel need to be weeded out. Sources added that Parameshwaran would eventually be dismissed from the department.