Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
Mangaluru: Four persons, including two women, have been taken into custody in connection with a honeytrap case that was registered in the Surathkal Police Station limits, informed Mangaluru City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar on Monday, January 18.
The operation was carried out by Surathkal Police Inspector Chandappa K and team under the direction of Commissioner Shashi Kumar, DCP Law and Order Hariram Shanker, DCP Crime and Traffic Vinay Goanker, and ACP North Sub Division Belliyappa.
The arrested accused are identified as Reshma alias Neema, a beedi roller, Zeenath alias Zeenath Mubeen, an insurance company employee, Iqbal and Abdul Khader Naseef, a driver and resident of Krishnapura.
Speaking to the media, Commissioner Shashi Kumar informed that a man, who hails from Kerala and runs a transport business, was invited by Reshma and Zeenath to visit their house, where he was assaulted and threatened by Iqbal and Naseef. They also threatened to file a rape case against him.
The accused demanded that the man pay them Rs 5 lakhs, of he paid Rs 30,000.
While making the arrest, the police seized cellphones, credit cards, and a Mahindra XUV. The police also found, during their investigation, that five to six people were involved in the case, indicating that this is a honeytrap racket.
“It has come to our notice that the group have been involved in around five to six cases over the past two to three months,” the compol said.
“When business was low, they would modify their vehicle and contact people from Channarayapatna for illegal cattle transport,” he added.
Commissioner Kumar then urged victims of honeytrap cases to come forward and inform the police of the same. “We will keep things confidential,” he assured.
“I also urge apartment associations to collect details and look into flats that are given on rent. If you notice any suspicious activities or strangers entering the apartment, inform the people. This development of honey trapping is dangerous as in many cases, the victims commit suicide or sell their property. All measures must be taken and the police must also be informed,” the Commissioner added.