A young couple who had gone to spend time at the Buddha Jayanti Park in Chanakyapuri became a target of fake policemen who threatened them at gun point and extorted valuables from them. The incident happened on October 11.
Around 3 p.m., a 24-year-old man sitting on a bench with his girlfriend, was approached by five persons who claimed to be police officers. The men started abusing the couple, threatening them to inform their parents. “My friend and I were sitting and talking when the five men, in a civil dress, passed by. Five minutes later, they returned and told us they were cops and accused us of indulging in obscenity,” the man said in his complaint.
Cash, cards looted
The five men then asked the couple to come along with them. “When we refused to follow them, they took out a pistol and again threatened us that they will tell our parents. We got scared,” he said.
The couple apologised to the men after which they allegedly asked them to part with their valuables. “They took my voter Id card, driving licence, original registration card of my bike and ₹1,000 from my possession. When they asked my friend, she denied carrying anything in her purse. They left the park after collecting our belongings,” he said.
More victims
When the couple exited the park, they spotted their friends – another couple -- and narrated the incident to them. The friends then informed them that they too were targeted by the same gang. The couples then called the PCR and informed them about the fake cops following which a First Information Report was registered.
A senior police officer said five persons have been arrested in connection with the case. “An FIR under Sections 386 (Extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 170 (Personating a public servant), and 34 (common intention) was registered and five people were arrested after the spot was inspected,” the officer said, refusing to share the names of the accused.
Unreported cases
The 24-year-old victim alleged that similar incidents have been happening in the park, a popular haunt for couples. Cheats posing as policemen are extorting money from visitors by scaring them. “After what happened to us, I spoke to a lot of people in the park and they told me such incidents have been happening there. However, the cases go unreported because of social stigma,” he said.