Bengaluru police arrested Syed Sarfaraz Ahmed, 35, for allegedly extorting money from over 20 police officers by threatening to implicate them in human rights violation cases. Ahmed, a resident of Bharati Nagar, previously served as an informant for police stations in Shivajinagar, DJ Halli, and RT Nagar, building a significant network within the force, The Indian Express reported.
Ahmed frequently visited police stations to check for detainees and used this information to file cases with the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC). His scheme unraveled on July 24 when Shivajinagar police detained a man named Irshad for causing a disturbance, charging him under the Arms Act. A KSHRC deputy superintendent, investigating a complaint of illegal detention, confirmed that Irshad’s arrest was lawful.
Police grew suspicious when the KSHRC officer visited other stations, including Hennur, RT Nagar, and Ramamurthy Nagar. Investigations revealed Ahmed demanded ₹50,000 to withdraw the complaint against Irshad. The police pretended to agree to his demand, recorded the transaction, and arrested Ahmed.
Interrogation revealed that Ahmed had extorted several police stations in the East, Northeast, and Whitefield divisions. He had built a network of lower-ranking police personnel who provided him with information. Ahmed used this data to file cases with the KSHRC and demanded money to withdraw them.
Ahmed now faces charges under sections 308 (2) (extortion) and 132 (assaulting or using criminal force against a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.