A honeytrap operation led by a student in Belagavi resulted in the arrest of a gang involved in extorting money from a youth. The Shahapur police seized ₹10 lakh in cash and three two-wheelers from the accused after a complaint was filed at the Shahapur police station.
The arrested individuals include Divya Pradeepa Sapakale (23), a student from Shahapur Basavan Galli, Prashantha alias Sparsha Kallappa Kolaka (25), Kumar alias Dali Arjuna Gokarakkanavar (29) of Jyotirlinga Galli, Kanbaragi, and Raju Sidrai Jadagi (29) of Valmiki Galli, Kanbaragi. They were placed in judicial custody following the arrests.
Incident Background: Vinayak Suresh Kuradekar, a student from Tilakwadi, was honey-trapped after a video was made of him touching the shoulder of a student. The gang used the video to blackmail him, demanding ₹25 lakh in ransom. After initially extorting ₹15 lakh, they continued to harass him for an additional ₹10 lakh. Kuradekar then lodged a complaint with Shahapur police.
Under the supervision of Market ACP Santosh Satyanayak and Police Inspector S.S. Simani, a police team including ASIs B.A. Chowgala, R.I. Sanadi, and several staff members successfully arrested the gang. A total of ₹13.40 lakh worth of cash and valuables, including ₹10 lakh in cash, three two-wheelers, and a mobile phone, were seized. The arrested suspects have been remanded to judicial custody.
