Patna, Dec. 20: City superintendent of police (SP) (east) Kim today submitted a report, recommending stern action against a constable on the charge of extortion.

She submitted the final report on the case to senior superintendent of police (SSP) Alok Kumar against Mohammed Akhtar, a constable posted at Gandhi Maidan police station, for allegedly extorting Rs 35,000 from Manik Sharma, a contractor, on Exhibition Road on December 12.

Kim told The Telegraph: “We have conducted an in-depth investigation into the incident but a few things need to be cleared. The victim identified the accused during the investigation but there is no other evidence. The matter is very serious and cannot be taken lightly. A recommendation has been made to the Patna SSP for initiating action against the constable.”

“As the place of occurrence is congested through the day, the absence of eyewitnesses is surprising. But how the constable came to know that Manik had so much money on him raises doubts. The victim claimed that he must have been watched when he stepped out of the Exhibition Road branch of Punjab National Bank after withdrawing money,” said another police officer.

Repeated attempts to contact the Patna SSP proved futile.