Jorhat (Assam) [India], October 7 (ANI): Jorhat Police have uncovered an alleged honey-trapping and extortion racket in Jorhat, arresting five people, including two women, in connection with a case involving a private bank manager from Tinsukia.
The investigation began after the bank manager approached Jorhat Police on October 2 and lodged a complaint alleging that he had been trapped and subsequently blackmailed by a group of people.
According to Jorhat Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hrishikesh Hazarika, the complainant had established contact with a woman through Instagram in July. Their interaction later developed into a relationship through social media.
Police said the woman allegedly called the bank manager to Jorhat on August 14. He reached the city at around 1 am and met her, following which she allegedly took him to a rented house in the Seoni Ali area.
The situation allegedly changed after two men arrived at the house and allegedly recorded the bank manager inside the premises. The accused are alleged to have threatened to circulate the video on social media and send it to his family members.
The group allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from the bank manager. Fearing public exposure, he reportedly paid the amount. The accused allegedly demanded another Rs 1 lakh, which was also paid.
Police said the victim had allegedly handed over a total of Rs 3 lakh before the group demanded a further Rs 5 lakh.
Unable to withstand the continued threats and financial demands, the bank manager finally approached the police.
Following directions from the Jorhat Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), a police team led by OC Hrishikesh Hazarika began investigating the case.
Two youths, identified as Sanjib Das and Ankit Paul, were arrested from Jorhat on October 2. Both are residents of the Garmur area under Jorhat Sadar Police Station. They were later produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.
The case has been registered at Jorhat Police Station. As the investigation progressed, police allegedly identified Moromi Das Neog as a key person behind the racket. A team was sent to Dibrugarh to trace her. After initially failing to locate her, police later acted on specific information and arrested her.
Another woman, Baby Bora, and her husband, Ankit Bora, were also arrested. With these arrests, police have taken five alleged members of the racket into custody.
Investigators are now examining mobile phones and other digital evidence seized from the accused. According to police, the preliminary examination has indicated that the group may have used a similar modus operandi against other individuals.
Police suspect that financially well-off persons, including businessmen and employees working in government and private-sector organisations, may have been targeted.
Describing the nature of the case, OC Hrishikesh Hazarika said it was a “pure case of honey-trapping.”
Police are now trying to identify other possible victims and establish the complete network behind the alleged racket. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
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