A doctor in Varanasi was allegedly blackmailed for Rs 8 lakh after meeting a man through a dating application. The incident occurred on July 20 at a hotel in the Maldahiya area. Following the incident, the doctor filed a complaint at Sigra Police Station, where a case has been registered.
According to the complaint, the doctor came into contact with an individual using the profile name “luking4mature” on the Grindr app, and after a brief exchange of messages, the person introduced himself as Vikas.
The two continued their conversation and eventually shared their phone numbers, following which they agreed to meet in person at the doctor’s hotel room. The doctor then instructed the hotel staff to allow Vikas entry to his room and also requested Vikas to bring beer over messaging.
According to the complaint filed with the police, Vikas arrived at the hotel room with beer, condoms, and lubricant. They drank beer together, and after a while, the doctor removed his clothes.
The situation took a turn when Vikas took photos of the doctor in that state and told him not to do such things in the land of Shiva. He then began threatening the doctor, demanding money and warning that he would share the photos with his friends and family if the doctor did not pay.
Vikas also physically assaulted the doctor, slapped him, broke a glass and threatened him using the broken pieces, while claiming to have connections with individuals involved in criminal activities.
“When I tried to get dressed, he tore my clothes and physically and mentally abused me to exort money,” the complaint said. Fearing for his life, the doctor made multiple payments from two bank accounts. The total amount transferred was Rs 8,00,000.
From his Punjab National Bank account, the doctor transferred Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 via UPI and withdrew Rs 40,000 in cash to pay Vikas.
Additionally, from his ICICI Bank account, he transferred Rs 50,000 and Rs 50,000 via UPI. He was also forced to add a new payee to his bank account and transfer Rs 2,50,000, Rs 3,00,000, Rs 80,000 and Rs 50,000 to an account held by Roshan Kumar Pathak.
The doctor attached screenshots of the payment transactions to support his complaint. He stated that the WhatsApp number used by the accused appeared under the name Arav Pandey, while the bank account receiving the funds was registered in the name of Roshan Kumar Pathak.
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to extortion, fraud, cheating, criminal intimidation and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
ACP Chetganj, Dr Ishan Soni, confirmed that a case has been registered at Sigra Police Station and that appropriate legal action is being taken.
“A case has been registered at Sigra Police Station based on the complaint from Dr. Naveen Keswani. The doctor invited a man through Grindr, who later took objectionable photos and blackmailed him for Rs 8 lakhs. This is a cognizable offense, and the case is being investigated under Section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and relevant sections of assault and extortion under BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita),” ACP Soni said.
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With inputs from Roushan Kumar