Man posed as GHMC officer to extort butcher, arrested

A man who allegedly posed as a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) vigilance officer and extorted money from a mutton shop employee, was arrested on Sunday. Police recovered cash, knives and other items from him.

The accused, identified as Ghouse Khan alias Aftab Khan, 33, was apprehended at Warasiguda crossroads following a tip-off. He admitted to the crime during questioning, police said.

Investigation revealed that on August 26 at around 5.30 p.m., the accused went to the mutton shop wearing a helmet and mask and carrying a wireless set to lend authenticity to his impersonation. Posing as an officer from the GHMC vigilance wing, he allegedly threatened the worker and escaped with two large butcher’s knives and ₹4,300 cash.

The crime was later reported to the police, who checked the community CCTV camera footage of the area, and tracked him down. A subsequent search led to the recovery of the stolen items, along with a mobile phone and a motorcycle, which was used in the offence.

A case has been booked under Sections 204, 318(4), 319(2), 351(2) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).