THANJAVUR: The district crime branch (DCB) police arrested inspector A Napoleon (45) of the investigative unit for crimes against women in Dharmapuri for allegedly extorting Rs 1 crore from V Ravichandran (68), an auditor from Kumbakonam.
The extortion stemmed from threats regarding Ravichandran cutting down teak trees on land acquired by the government for a barrage construction across the River Kollidam. Ravichandran sold the land to his relative in 2020 and was compensated Rs 54 lakh.
After learning about the tree cutting, Napoleon demanded Rs 1 crore to avoid legal action. Ravichandran paid the sum in three installments but later reported Napoleon when he demanded an additional crore.
On Thursday, Ravichandran handed over Rs 5 lakh to Napolean at the Thoppur toll gate, leading to his arrest by the DCB. He was later remanded in the Pudukkottai jail.