Patna: Sheikhpura police have arrested three persons, including a JDU leader, on the charge of demanding money and threatening Barbigha block development officer Pankaj Kumar on Saturday.

Pankaj lodged a complaint with the Barbigha police on Saturday, alleging that JDU leader Avinash Kumar Singh threatened him with dire consequences when he and his wife had stepped out for a morning walk near the block headquarters campus. He said that Avinash, accompanied by two associates - Shivji and Kishore Kumar - tried to take him to a deserted place. When he refused to accompany them, Avinash, the JDU's technical cell president, threatened him with dire consequences but not before demanding Rs 50,000 as extortion money.

"I have come to know that you are minting money from the beneficiaries of the toilet scheme undertaken by the government in Barbigha block," Pankaj quoted Avinash as saying. "So you must pay us Rs 50,000. If you don't oblige us, be ready to face the consequences."

Pankaj immediately informed senior administrative and police officials over phone. Taking swift action, Barbigha police arrested three persons and seized a car from their possession. Barbigha police station house officer (SHO) Sanosh Kumar confirmed the arrests.

He said the JDU leader had also threatened the BDO over phone on Friday night, demanding Rs 50,000 in extortion.

"The three were produced in a local court, which remanded them to 14-day judicial custody," he said.

An investigating officer said the ruling party leader had threatened to shoot the public servant in office if the money was not paid. He initially sought an appointment with the BDO over phone and then threatened him, he said.