Two UP Police Sub-Inspectors Suspended After Alleged ₹20 Lakh Extortion From Meerut Trader

Meerut |  10 Feb 2026 : Two Uttar Pradesh Police sub-inspectors have been suspended after they were accused of extorting ₹20 lakh from a yarn trader in Meerut by falsely linking his business money to hawala transactions. The action was taken after the trader approached senior police officers with a formal complaint, prompting an internal inquiry. The accused officers are currently absconding, police officials confirmed on Tuesday.

According to police, the trader, who lives in the Gola Kuan area, was taken from his home three days ago by SIs Lokendra Sahu and Mukesh Kumar, both posted at the Bijli Bamba police outpost under Lohia Nagar police station. The officers allegedly told him that around ₹1 crore of hawala money had reached his house and took him to the outpost for questioning. Despite the trader explaining that the money was connected to his yarn business, the officers allegedly continued to threaten and pressure him.

In his complaint, the trader stated that he was illegally detained for nearly one and a half days and was not allowed to meet his family. He was allegedly threatened with a fake encounter and warned of serious consequences if he did not comply. Out of fear, he arranged ₹20 lakh and handed it over to the two sub-inspectors, after which he was released.

An inquiry supervised by SP City Ayush Vikram Singh found the allegations to be true, following which SSP Avinash Pandey ordered the suspension of both SIs. As the case came to light, the accused officers allegedly went underground after initial questioning. An FIR has been registered under multiple sections, including extortion, criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The SSP has also ordered a departmental inquiry against Lohia Nagar SHO Yogesh Chandra for negligence, and he has been suspended pending the investigation.