Punjab: 50-year-old pharmacist harassed, blackmailed, extorted of Rs 6 lakh; constable held

Punjab: A city-based pharmacist became a victim of extortion from none other than a police constable, who was recently arrested for taking Rs 6 lakh from the pharmacist over a period of half a year.

The pharmacist was being blackmailed over bogus claims related to a death of a patient post the consumption of the drugs purchased from his pharmacy in BRS Nagar. The constable, who was earlier posted with the anti-narcotic cell of the Ludhiana Commissionerate was arrested based on a complaint filed by the pharmacist.

The case relates to a 50-year-old pharmacist who runs a medical store in BRS Nagar, Ludhiana. About 6 months ago, a man called him up and introduced himself as the head constable. He claimed that a person has died after consuming the medicine purchased from his pharmacy. Thereafter, he offered the pharmacist to pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation to dismiss the case and in exchange, he would drop the charges.

Accordingly, the pharmacist paid the amount. However, this went on for almost six months, wherein, the pharmacist was constantly harassed and blackmailed and asked for more money. This time he was again asked to give 4 lakh mentioning that the police have been making a list of pharmacies who sell intoxicating medicine. He also informed him that his pharmacy is in the list and if he wanted his name off from the list then he should pay the said amount.

However, this ended soon after the pharmacists moved a formal complaint with the Sarabha Nagar Police. The case was inquired by the cops who found the involvement of one more person in the alleged extortion. It was revealed that the constable had also previously used the name of the commissioner of police, Rakesh Agrawal, to get the money. The police official further added that they are also looking for proof if someone had died after taking the medicine from the victim’s pharmacy.

Presently, the constable is under arrest while the other person is on the run, suggests a recent media report in TOI.