VHP man arrested on extortion charges

Police said that one Murali living in Chintadripet had issues with Prakash on business front and approached VHP man Balanchandran to settle scores with him. Balachandran, after receiving money from Murali, threatened Prakash at his office with weapons and allegedly demanded money not to disturb him. 

After Prakash approached police, they swung into action and arrested Balachandran near his house on Mukkiyamman Koil Street in Chintadripet. During the inquiry, Balachandran allegedly admitted to his crime. 

Police said that Balachandran is a history-sheeter with several of murder, assault and theft cases pending against him at Kilpauk and Egmore police stations. An official speaking to DT Next said that earlier this year Balachandran approached police claiming that unidentified extremists placed a severed cow head in front of his office and sought police protection. However, during the inquiry police found out that Balanchandran himself bought the head in Pondicherry for Rs 2,000 and placed it in front of his office.

“His only intention is to create an impression among people in the locality that he is influential and was desperately trying to get police protection by lodging false complaints one after another,” said the official. Balanchandran has been remanded in judicial custody and lodged in to Puzhal prison.