Chennai inspector arrested for extorting trader over Armstrong case threat
A police inspector in Chennai has been arrested on charges of extorting money from a businessman by allegedly threatening to implicate him in the murder case of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader K. Armstrong, who was killed in July 2024. The arrest follows a complaint filed by the businessman, who accused the officer of collecting large sums of money over the past two years under the threat of false implication.
The complainant, identified as Akil Kumar Ukkam Raj (35), a gold bullion and share market trader from Old Washermenpet, alleged that Inspector Mohammed Buhari, who was then attached to the S-1 St. Thomas Mount Police Station, demanded money to prevent him from being named as an accused in the Armstrong murder case. According to sources, the inspector was part of the police team involved in the encounter that killed Thiruvengadam, a key suspect in the case.
In a petition to Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj, Mr. Raj said that over the past two years, Inspector Buhari repeatedly pressured him for money, claiming that a mobile phone number linked to the businessman had surfaced during the investigation into Armstrong's murder. The complainant explained that he had shared the number with an acquaintance, lawyer Mottai Krishnan, in 2018 and had no connection to the case. He alleged that the officer initially demanded ₹20 lakh to keep his name out of the investigation and later collected additional amounts on several occasions.
The complaint further states that on Saturday morning, Inspector Buhari visited Mr. Raj's residence and demanded another ₹5 lakh. The officer was accompanied by three other policemen and threatened to falsely implicate the businessman in a criminal case, according to the complainant. The cash was allegedly handed over to a head constable near Washermenpet Metro station before the inspector left the area.
In a statement, the police confirmed that Mr. Raj had lodged a complaint against Inspector Buhari, accusing him of threatening false implication and arrest in the Armstrong murder case. The police said the inspector allegedly collected over ₹35 lakh from the businessman over two years under various pretexts. On August 2, Inspector Buhari reportedly visited the complainant's residence again and threatened him in connection with an inquiry related to narcotics, forcing him to pay ₹5 lakh to a person identified as Srinivasan.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the C-2 Elephant Gate Police Station, and an investigation was initiated. After gathering evidence and statements, the police arrested Inspector Mohammed Buhari and Srinivasan. The two were produced before the VIII Metropolitan Magistrate Court in George Town, Chennai. The court remanded them to judicial custody, and further investigation is ongoing.
The Armstrong murder case has been a high-profile matter in Tamil Nadu, with the BSP leader's killing prompting widespread outrage and demands for a thorough probe. The arrest of a police officer in connection with alleged extortion linked to the case raises concerns about the integrity of investigations and the conduct of law enforcement personnel. Authorities have assured that the matter will be dealt with strictly, and legal proceedings are underway.
