Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch nabs NCP leader, woman for honey-trapping builder, seeking ₹10-cr ransom

The Cyber Crime Branch of Ahmedabad city has arrested two persons, including a newspaper editor and a political functionary, for allegedly honey-trapping a builder and attempting to extort up to ₹10 crore by threatening to make an intimate video viral on social media. 

According to the officials,  the accused recorded a video of the builder during a private moment without his consent and later used the footage to blackmail him. The complainant was allegedly sent the video on WhatsApp and threatened that it would be circulated widely on social media platforms unless a large sum of money was paid.

Police said the accused initially demanded ₹10 crore, later issuing an ultimatum to pay ₹7 crore within 24 hours, failing which the video would be made viral. Taking note of the gravity of the offence, the Cyber Crime Branch immediately registered an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section of the Information Technology Act. 

The arrested accused have been identified as Ashwin Laxmikant Chauhan (39), who is the Gujarat Pradesh vice-president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and also the editor of ‘Satya Times’ daily newspaper. He is a resident of Shahpur Darwaza, Ahmedabad. The second accused is Sunita alias Annie Rajput, who runs a business.  

During the investigation, police found that Sunita allegedly honey-trapped the complainant with the intention of extorting money. She later shared the video with Chauhan, following which both allegedly conspired to threaten the complainant.

“The accused warned the complainant that the video would be published on social media and in a newspaper to make it viral. Using fear and intimidation, they attempted to extort a ransom of ₹7 crore within 24 hours,” said senior officials of the cyber cell.

The Cyber Crime Branch carried out technical surveillance and analysed digital evidence to identify the accused. Both were arrested, and the digital devices used in the commission of the crime have been seized, police said, adding that further interrogation is under way.

Police officials said the investigation is continuing to ascertain whether the accused were involved in similar offences and to trace any additional victims.