Kindergarten Teacher Among 3 Held in Bengaluru Honeytrap Extortion Case

Trust Turned Trap

Sridevi, who operated a preschool in Mahalakshmi Layout, first met businessman Rakesh Vaishnav in 2023 when he enrolled his children at her school. Later, she borrowed ₹2 lakh from him, citing school-related expenses, and promised to repay it by 2024.

When Rakesh asked for the money in January 2024, Sridevi reportedly proposed a business partnership in the school. Their interactions became more personal, prompting Rakesh to use a separate phone and SIM card for private communication with her.

Escalating Demands

Things took a turn when Sridevi allegedly lured him to her home, initiated physical contact, and demanded ₹50,000. Over time, her monetary demands ballooned to ₹15 lakh, allegedly in return for maintaining their personal relationship.

Feeling overwhelmed, Rakesh tried to sever ties by destroying the SIM card. But on March 12, Sridevi called his wife, asking him to visit the school for their children’s transfer certificate. There, Ganesh and Sagar confronted him, accused him of an affair, and threatened exposure unless he paid ₹1 crore.

Threats and Arrest

The trio forced Rakesh into a vehicle and drove around Bengaluru, pressuring him for money. They finally extorted ₹1.9 lakh as a partial payment of ₹20 lakh. On March 17, Sridevi allegedly threatened to release intimate video chats unless he paid ₹15 lakh more. Distressed, Rakesh approached the CCB.

The police arrested all three, and further investigations are ongoing.

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