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PBI sources told the newspaper that failing to get Mannan’s brother, the six -- along with two police sources -- picked Mannan introducing themselves as DB police, and took him to Vellapara Bridge area of Patiya. There they extorted money from the businessman’s family keeping him hostage.

“A boy, a staffer of a tea stall who witnessed the ransom handover incident, also identified the six constables in his deposition. After picking him up, they took Mannan in front of the tea stall,” said a PBI officer, seeking not to be named.

Mohiuddin Selim said, “The six police constables were remanded but did not give their confessional statements under Section 164 in connection with the case.”

Police arrested the six constables on February 7 after Mannan filed a case with Anwara Police Station over abduction and extortion, in which he said a total of eight persons including two civilians picked him up from his house. Later, PBI was asked to investigate the case.

Following the incident, a number of police personnel of different ranks were transferred from CMP to other units.