Police caught two criminals red-handed while extorting Tk 10 lakh from a businessman at the city’s Bangla Bazar area under Doublemooring Police Station and recovered the money here on Tuesday.

The extortionists, allegedly Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) cadres, were identified as Jasimul Alam Liton alias Laxmi and Mohammad Hannan.

Sources said, Laxmi and his gang had long been demandingTk 10 lakh from scrap businessman Paritosh Das in city's Barik Building Intersection area. Paritosh informed it to police and later as per their advice, told the gang to collect the money from his business place at 8.00pm onTUesday.

Four criminals, Laxmi, Hannan, Rafique and Alam, arrived on time and Paritosh handed over the money to them.

As the gang was about to leave the place, police in plain cloths chased them and arrested Laxmi and Hannan with the money.

TWo others, however, managed to escape.

Sources said, Laxmi was arrested few months ago but released on bail. He was given a gala reception by the local JCD after his release.