The Amruthalli police have arrested a 33-year-old construction laborer for blackmailing a businessman with the help of his wife, who is on the run. The accused, Manjunath, was caught red-handed taking a bribe from the businessman on a service road near Hebbal flyover on Thursday. According to the police, Rajendra Hegde, 50, had received 50 missed calls on his mobile phone last year from an unknown number. When he finally dialed the number, it was answered by a woman who identified herself as Ayesha. The two started chatting, and had several conversations on the phone. A few days ago, Hegde invited Ayesha home while his family was away. Moments later, Manjunath barged into the house and demanded Rs.80,000 for keeping quiet about their relationship. Police told that Ayesha’s real name is Monika and Manjunath is her husband. He began blackmailing Hegde who filed a complaint on Thursday, the police told. The police have booked Manjunath under Section 384 (extortion) of the IPC and remanded him in judicial custody while efforts are on to nab Monika, 24, who is on the run.
