Hubballi: HDMC Engineer Targeted in ₹4 Lakh Extortion Plot by Fake Lokayukta Officials
Hubli EXPRESS News: The Sub-Urban police have arrested two individuals who impersonated Lokayukta officials in an attempt to extort money from an HDMC engineer.
The arrested individuals, Sharanu Gowda Patil and Zakir Mulla, allegedly demanded money from Vilas Tonsalli, an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) in the Town Planning Department of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC).
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Mahaning Nandagavi, the accused contacted Tonsalli on September 29, claiming to be officials from the Lokayukta department. They falsely stated that they had received multiple complaints against him and demanded Rs 4 lakh to clear his name.
On October 4, the engineer approached the Sub-Urban police and filed a complaint. Following this, the police arrested the two suspects and have launched a further investigation into the matter.
Sources revealed that one of the accused, Patil, had taken a large gold loan by pledging gold ornaments. In an effort to clear his debt, he conspired with Mulla to carry out this extortion scheme. The investigation is ongoing.
