Scribe arrested in extortion case

Vijayawada: A journalist with a private news channel and another person was arrested on Monday in connection with a case of kidnapping and extortion here. D Naga Aswani Kumar (32) and his associate B Vijayakumar (31) were allegedly involved in the abduction of B Ravikumar, a local businessman, said Deputy Commissioner of Police, M Ravindranadh Babu. Four others were still at large, he said. According to police, the journalist arranged to bring Ravikumar and his girlfriend to a house where he was assaulted. The assailants sought ransom of Rs 3 lakh from Ravikumar, saying otherwise he would be defamed on the channel where the journalist works. Ravikumar agreed to pay up, and made a call to his friend. (PTI)