Bengaluru: A pre-school teacher and two others have been arrested by Central crime branch of the Bengaluru police for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money from a student’s father.
The Central Crime Branch detained 25-year-old Sridevi Rudagi, along with her associates Ganesh Kale, 38 and Sagar, 28, after they reportedly demanded Rs 20 lakh from the victim using private photos and videos.
According to reports quoting the police, Satish, a trader living in a western Bengaluru neighbourhood with his wife and three daughters, had enrolled his youngest daughter a five-year-old, in the school in 2023.
During the admission process, he met Shridevi Rudagi, who later kept in touch with him. Over time, their conversations turned personal through messages and video calls on a separate phone. Eventually, they met in person, leading to an extra-marital affair.
According to the police, Rudagi initially extorted Rs 4 lakh from Satish. In January, she further demanded Rs 15 lakh. When he denied, she visited his house, asking for Rs 50,000.
As his business began to go through a rough patch, the father decided to move his family to Gujarat and needed a Transfer Certificate (TC) for his child in March.
According to the father, on reaching the school, he found himself cornered in Rudagi's office, with Kale and Sagar also present. The latter showed Satish the objectionable photos and videos, and then demanded Rs 20 lakh blackmailing him that he would share it with Satish's family. After negotiations, he agreed to pay Rs 15 lakh, transferring an initial amount of Rs 1.9 lakh. However, the threats continued.
In mid March, Rudagi rang him on the phone to remind him of the remaining payment - Rs 5 lakh for a former police officer and Rs 1 lakh each for Sagar and Kale, and the remaining Rs 8 lakh for her.
After endless torture, the father reported the matter to the police, prompting the authorities to initiate an investigation.
Rudagi, Kale and Sagar were arrested and sent to judicial custody for 14 days and further probe is ongoing.However, the police clarified that the former poice officer had no involvement in the case.
