Mohali, Feb. 10 -- Police have arrested a Kharar resident who allegedly extorted Rs.15 lakh from his Morinda-based friend through an elaborate conspiracy with his five associates, who approached the latter posing as officials of the Jalandhar crime branch.

Under the false pretext that the cops were pursuing him for helping a gangster flee abroad, the accused extorted the money from his friend.

The arrested accused has been identified as Jasvir Singh Gill, alias Raja, 40. Police have also nominated Pannu, who posed as a DSP, besides four other men, who posed as cops.

The victim, Sham Lal Sharma, 39, works for an immigration company, owned by his friend Sukhwinder Singh, in Phase 3B2, Mohali.

Sharma told police that his friend Raja, who...