Times News NetworkKanpur: Three people, including two doctors on a medical panel, were detained after Home Guard candidates alleged extortion during recruitment medical tests at Kanpur Police Lines on Thursday. Police said an investigation confirmed that money had been transferred online.The candidates alleged they were threatened with being declared medically unfit unless they paid. They assaulted Ajit, a youth sitting in a doctor’s car, and handed him to police. Two other youths reportedly fled during the uproar.Kotwali police registered a case following a complaint lodged by an official from the Home Guard Commandant’s office. The detainees are being questioned.The candidates alleged that Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 was demanded over purported nasal problems and Rs 50,000 for alleged eye problems. They were allegedly given a slip bearing a mobile number and told to contact it and pay. Some candidates said payments were made online and in cash to Ajit, whom they described as the driver of the doctor’s car.Assistant commissioner of police, Kotwali, Amit Kumar Pandey, said the police received information around 7:30 pm on Oct 15 that candidates had assaulted a doctor after accusing him of taking money. Police reached the scene and began an investigation. The inquiry found evidence of cash being taken on the promise of helping candidates pass the medical examination and of money being transferred directly to bank accounts, he said. The district commandant, Home Guard, was informed and further legal action would follow based on the investigation.Medical tests for selected candidates are being conducted from Oct 15 to Oct 29 after document verification and physical tests. The chief medical officer had constituted a three-member doctors’ panel. Two hundred candidates were called on the first day. The examination was held in April and results announced on June 29.
