Three persons, including the United Democratic Front councillor of Vathuthuruthy ward in Kochi Corporation, were arrested by the Elamakkara police on charges of abduction and extortion on April 8.
The arrested were identified as councillor Tibin Devassy, Fayas of Kasargod and Shameer of Kakkanad. They stand accused of extorting ₹2 lakh from a trader in Edappally besides forcibly securing an undertaking from him for another ₹20 lakh on Thursday evening.
A gang led by the accused allegedly beat up the trader at his office in Edappally and took him to his father-in-law’s workplace where again he was assaulted. The father-in-law reportedly made the bank transfer of ₹2 lakh.
