The city police arrested three of their own men, a month after they allegedly robbed a man of Rs14,000 and a mobile phone.

The accused, three constables attached to the Commercial Street police station, face dismissal from service if found guilty.

Arun Kumar, Ramesh and Rajkumar have been absconding ever since the Lokayukta police laid a trap to net them for allegedly demanding a bribe from Umesh, who was detained for interrogation. The three newly-recruited constables demanded money from Umesh to set him free, it is alleged.

Police had picked Umesh up in connection with a cheating case. A KR Puram-based sanitary ware dealer, MC Shekar alias Madhusudan, had kept a few pipes in Umesh's warehouse. Umesh sold the pipes to someone. Meanwhile Shekar had given two cheques to Sripada, from whom he had procured the pipes. On submission, the cheques bounced and a case of cheating was registered on December 21, 2008. Meanwhile, Shekar had shut down his sanitaryware business and started a silk business on Kamaraj Road. Police later detained Umesh to know the whereabouts of the pipes.

The constables, meanwhile, approached Umesh and promised to set him free for Rs25,000. Umesh informed his friend MR Dhananjay, who promised to raise the required money. However, instead of getting the money, Dhananjay approached the Lokayukta.

The Lokayukta police laid a trap and gave Dhananjay marked currency notes worth Rs14,000. In accordance with the deal, Dhananjay met the constables at a lane on Infantry Road. However, the policemen smelt something wrong when Dhananjay signalled to the Lokayukta police. They snatched the money and his mobile phone, and escaped.

Assistant commissioner of police BB Ashok Kumar said the constable had committed a serious offence and they will get stringent punishment.

MK Madhusoodan/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication