POKHARA: Four persons were detained on charges of extorting money and kidnapping by pretending to be police inspector and human rights officers.

Kaski Police made the arrests on Thursday acting on a tip-off that the gang was actively swindling money by faking identity and through extortion.

The arrestees were identified as Dipak Thakuri (33) of Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, Tara Prasad Pandey (26) of Tansen Municipality, Palpa, Bhoj Kumar Khatri (23) of Aiselu Rural Municipality in Khotang and 28-year-old Bal Krishna Gautam of Gulmi district.

A kidnapping case has been lodged against the four at Kaski District Court and further investigation is underway, police informed.