Mysore/Mysuru: Three youths have been arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from Flying Squad officials in the guise of Police on election duty.

Those arrested are Madegowda alias Madhu and Yogesh alias Abhishek of Yaraganahalli and Karthik of Vidyashankar Layout in city. While Madhu was caught by the Constable of the Flying Squad, the other two, who had fled from the spot, were arrested by Alanahalli Police.

Detail: With Lok Sabha polls round the corner, officials of the Flying Squad are working round the clock and conducting checking of vehicles to prevent illegal transportation of cash, gold and freebies meant to woo the voters.  

On Apr. 4 at about 1.30 am, Flying Squad-3 officials comprising K.E. Karyappa of the Public Works Department (PWD), Second Division Assistant (SDA) Mahadeva, Metagalli Police Station Constable L.S. Shashikumar and driver Likin were proceeding in a private Maruti Ertiga car (KA-09-AA-4747) on the Outer Ring Road from Sathagalli Bus Depot side towards Deve Gowda Circle. When they neared the barricades put up near Hari Govind Das Hotel, the officials saw three youths standing near the barricades put by the Police along with a Bajaj Platina bike (KA-09-HX-0439).

When the Flying Squad vehicle approached the barricades, the three youths, who stopped the vehicle, went near the driver and told him that the Police had sent them to check the car as it was election time and hence they were conducting checking of all vehicles. The youths then told the driver to hand over any cash with them.

SDA Mahadeva, who believed the youths, told them that they too were on election duty to which the youths told him that it did not matter who they were and insisted on checking the vehicle. They then threatened the Flying Squad officials to hand over the cash or else they would not allow them to move forward alive.

Meanwhile, Constable Shashikumar, who was wearing the uniform and seated in the rear seat of the car, got down and questioned the youths as to which Police Station officer asked them to conduct checking, the three youths tried to flee on the bike but Shashikumar caught hold of Madhu and brought him to Alanahalli Police Station and lodged a complaint at about 5 am.

Alanahalli Police, who registered a case, conducted an operation which was led by Inspector Swarna and arrested Yogesh and Karthik besides seizing the bike.

The three accused were produced before a Court, which remanded them to judicial custody.