Three businessmen on a joyride in an Audi Q7 in violation of the lockdown were arrested in an inebriated state at the crossing of Russell Street and Middleton Row around Thursday midnight, police said.

“One of the drunk businessmen was at the wheel. After the car was intercepted, they falsely claimed that they could not be arrested because they were travelling in a vehicle that belonged to a foreign consulate,” an officer said.

Officers of Shakespeare Sarani police station on Friday checked with the consulate and found that the vehicle was indeed hired by it with a specific number-plate. The contract expired last year.

“The car, however, continued to ply illegally with the registration plate that was issued when it was in the service of the consulate. The car has been seized,” the officer said.

The three men — their identities are being withheld because The Telegraph could not obtain their families’ reaction to the allegations — have been arrested on charges of drink driving, cheating, forgery and violation of the lockdown.

“All three are residents of the Theatre Road area and were on a joyride. They were intoxicated and abusing officers on naka duty,” the officer said.

The businessmen have been remanded in police custody for four days.

Sources said the police searched their homes and found documents related to the car and the original registration number plate.

“Our officers are literally spending sleepless nights to ensure that people remain indoors. Such incidents are demoralising and uncalled for. Some people are not taking the lockdown seriously, at their peril as well as that of others,” the officer said.