Balasore: Police in Odisha’s Balasore district arrested a youth for allegedly posing as a police officer and extorting money from a truck driver.

The accused, identified as Mahiranjan Das of Arjunpur village, was arrested by Khaira police following a complaint from the victim.

Truck driver stopped and asked for money

According to sources, Ajay Panda, a resident of Anantapur village under Soro police limits, was transporting chips from Kupari to Soro in his truck.

When the vehicle reached near Toranipada Chhak in the Khaira area, four youths stopped the truck and claimed to be police personnel. They checked the vehicle documents and allegedly demanded money from the driver.

Money transferred via PhonePe

The driver, feeling pressured, transferred Rs 3,000 to a PhonePe number provided by the youths.

Later, Ajay Panda realised that the persons who stopped him were not police officials and had cheated him.

Complaint leads to arrest

Following the incident, the truck driver lodged a written complaint at Khaira Police Station.

Acting on the complaint, Khaira IIC Jan Pattnaik launched an investigation. Police later arrested Mahiranjan Das from Arjunpur village in connection with the case.

After the arrest, the accused was produced before a court and sent for judicial proceedings. Police said further investigation is underway to identify and trace the other youths involved in the incident.