Mumbai: A 26 Year-old private company employee was allegedly blackmailed and robbed of ₹41,000 after attempting to arrange a same-sex encounter via a Telegram group. Meghwadi Police have arrested four men in connection with the case.
The victim, seeking a same-sex partner, came into contact with an individual on Telegram who shared his photo and agreed to meet anywhere. The rendezvous was arranged at the victim’s Jogeshwari residence on Monday. However, the accused did not arrive alone — three accomplices were with him.
After engaging in a consensual act with the victim, the main accused allowed his accomplices to secretly record the encounter. The group then threatened to make the video viral. When the victim resisted, he was brutally assaulted. The accused obtained his ATM card and OTP, and withdrew ₹41,000 from a nearby ATM while confining the victim inside his own house.
After managing to escape, the victim approached Bhandup Police Station and registered a complaint. A case was filed under sections 309(6), 127(2), 115, 351(3), 35, and 3(5) of BNS. Subsequently, Meghwadi Police arrested all four accused, who are reportedly residents of the same locality.
Senior Police Inspector Sambhaji Jadhav of Meghwadi Police Station confirmed that the accused had befriended the victim through a dating app and are suspected of involvement in similar crimes. All four have been remanded to police custody while investigations continue.
