Anantnag, May 26: A Sarpanch acting as messiah of two innocent persons has been arrested by police for grabbing money from the duo for grabbing money from them in exchange of their release from the police custody.
While divulging information about the incident, a police official said that two suspects (names withheld) from Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district were called for questioning regarding a militant case.
“While they were being questioned to establish their involvement or otherwise, their families approached Sarpanch Nisar Ahamd Khan of Kadipora, Anantnag to secure their release. In the meanwhile, the two individuals were not found involved or having any knowledge of circumstances that resulted in the commission of crime. Accordingly, they were released. Subsequently it was known that they have paid money to Nisar Ahmad Khan.”
The said person who is Sarpanch of Gopalpora village had taken Rupees One Lakh and Ten Thousand from the families promising their release. He had approached police and also sought appointment with a police officer for the same. He was however not allowed to meet the officer and instead conveyed on phone that they will be sent home if not found involved.
Police said that an FIR vide number 238/2021 under section 420 IPC was registered in Police Station Anantnag against the accused and money so paid to him has been recovered.
“The money recovered will be handed over to families with due process. He has been arrested in the instant case. Further investigation is going on,” the police official said.
Police advised people to refrain from paying money to touts and unscrupulous elements and instead meet senior police officers in their respective areas for redressal of any grievances. (KNT)