Three men were arrested for allegedly posing as officers of the Bidhannagar city police and extorting money from bikers and other motorists near a bridge off the Shapoorji Pallonji housing complex in New Town on Tuesday evening.
A few drivers from whom the trio had demanded money had asked for their identity cards, which the accused allegedly failed to show — leading to their arrest.
The accused are Milan Mandal, Sudipta Mandal and Tanay Mandal — all residents of Cossipore in South 24-Parganas district.
“We had information that some people were extorting money from passing vehicles along a canal under a bridge near the Shapoorji Pallonji housing complex. On Tuesday, we received specific information that at least three men were trying to extort money from motorists,” said an officer of Techno City police station.
On reaching the spot, the police found that a few drivers were confronting the trio and were asking for their identity cards, which they failed to produce.
The three were arrested from the spot.
The police said the officers who questioned the trio learnt that they would extort anything between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 from motorists posing as cops and would often threaten them with arrest if they refused to pay up.
An officer said one should never pay money to anyone on the road, even if the person claimed to be a police officer, without verifying his or her credentials.
“Always ask for the identity card of the person demanding money and also about the offence for which the money is being demanded,” the officer said.
If there is slightest suspicion, motorists can dial 100 or the control room and verify the credentials of the officers demanding money on the road, the officer said.
The accused trio have been booked under IPC sections related to cheating and attempted extortion.