In Bengaluru, a preschool principal was arrested on Monday for allegedly extorting money from the father of a five-year-old student with whom she had a personal relationship. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) also detained two of her associates who reportedly blackmailed the father, a 34-year-old businessman, threatening to release his private photos on social media unless he paid Rs 20 lakh.
The accused are Sridevi Rudagi, 25, who runs the preschool, and her accomplices Ganesh Kale, 38, and Sagar, 28. All three have been sent to judicial custody. According to police reports, Ramesh (name changed), the victim, got to know Rudagi when he enrolled his daughter in her preschool in 2023, and their relationship grew from there.
Ramesh, a trader from Kalasipalya, exchanged private messages and video calls with Rudagi, even meeting her occasionally. Over time, she reportedly manipulated him into giving her Rs 4 lakh, and later demanded an additional Rs 15 lakh, suggesting they live together. Rudagi allegedly also borrowed Rs 50,000 from him. Investigations revealed she falsely claimed connections with a former police assistant commissioner to intimidate him.
Things took a turn in March when Ramesh, in financial trouble, decided to transfer his daughter out of the school. Rudagi’s associates, Kale and Sagar, confronted him, threatening to expose compromising videos unless he paid. Despite making an initial payment, Ramesh was pressured further and eventually sought police help.
The case has been filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including extortion and criminal intimidation.
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