Chennai | September 11, 2026
A head constable attached to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police’s office has been arrested in Chennai for allegedly posing as an officer of the newly formed Anti-Narcotics Task Force and attempting to extort Rs 3.3 lakh from a businessman in Old Washermanpet, according to a report by DT Next.
The arrested policeman was identified as Ravivarman, 43, from Kancheepuram district. He was attached to the computer section at the police headquarters. Police sources cited in the report said Ravivarman visited a plastic trading company in RK Nagar and claimed that he had come to conduct a search based on information about contraband.
During the search, the policeman allegedly found 10 boxes of gutkha, herbal medication and Rs 3.3 lakh in cash at the premises. He then allegedly demanded money from the establishment’s owner, identified as Praveen Kumar, 44. Kumar sought identity proof from the constable, leading to an argument, the report said.
A neighbouring shopkeeper alerted the police, after which officers reached the premises. Ravivarman and Kumar were taken to Korukkupet police station for further inquiry. The subsequent probe allegedly found that the head constable had acted on the instructions of another businessman who had informed him about cash kept at Kumar’s premises.
According to the report, the other businessman, identified as Keemaram, owed Kumar Rs 6 lakh. Keemaram had allegedly sent Rs 3 lakh to Kumar through an emissary, Mangilal. Police suspect that Keemaram and Mangilal conspired with Ravivarman to take back the money by threatening to implicate Kumar in a criminal case.
Korukkupet police arrested both Ravivarman and Mangilal in connection with the alleged attempt. The report did not specify the sections invoked, the stage of the investigation or whether further arrests were expected.
The case involves allegations against a serving police employee who is accused of misrepresenting his assignment and using the threat of a contraband case to pressure a businessman. The allegations remain subject to the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
