Police Officer's Wife Identified as Kingpin in Sophisticated Traffic Cop Extortion Racket
In a startling development from New Delhi, the wife of a serving police officer has been arrested as the alleged mastermind behind a brazen extortion syndicate specifically targeting traffic police personnel. Sneh Lata, along with two male associates, represents the latest apprehensions in an ongoing and intensive investigation being conducted by the crime branch.
The Elaborate Blackmail Scheme Unraveled
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, the probe was initiated following a formal complaint from a traffic constable. The officer alleged he was being blackmailed for a sum of Rs 1.2 lakh. The extortionists threatened to release fabricated and "objectionable" videos purportedly showing him engaged in professional misconduct. Investigators have since confirmed these videos were digitally manipulated.
The gang's modus operandi was highly calculated. They employed hidden spy cameras to clandestinely record traffic officers during routine challan (fine issuance) proceedings. This raw footage was then passed to a technical accomplice who expertly edited and distorted the videos to create a false impression of corruption. These doctored videos served as the primary tool for their blackmail operations.
The Arrest and Investigation Details
Sneh Lata first came under police scrutiny after being captured on CCTV cameras while allegedly involved in trapping activities. She was seen using a piece of cloth to conceal her face, attempting to hide her identity. Following this lead, a specialized team led by Inspector Arun Sindhu and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjay Nagpal laid a successful trap.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Lata (32) and her two associates: Sachin and Amir Chaudhary, also known as Sikander, from the Samalakha area. Interrogations revealed that Lata had previously worked under another kingpin, Ashok Kumar alias Babli. Following his death in December 2025, she reportedly established her own independent criminal cell.
Background of the Accused and Legal Action
While Lata and Sachin had no prior criminal records, Amir Chaudhary, identified as a cab driver, was found to have been previously involved in a similar crime syndicate. The police have registered a formal case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with Section 308 (2) pertaining to extortion being prominently applied.
Authorities are now intensifying efforts to track down the remaining members of this organized gang. A specific focus is on locating the individual responsible for the sophisticated video editing and a female accomplice allegedly involved in the recording operations. Several mobile phones used to coordinate the criminal activities have been seized as crucial evidence.
Broader Context and Unanswered Questions
This case is connected to a larger racket initially busted by the crime branch in December, which led to the arrest of the main kingpin, Raju Meena. That syndicate was involved in selling special stickers, priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000, to facilitate hassle-free vehicle movement without proper documents. The group was manufacturing and distributing over 2,000 such stickers every month.
A significant and puzzling aspect of the current probe is its silence regarding the potential role of traffic police insiders. The scale and sophistication of this "well-oiled racket" raise serious questions about whether such an operation could have functioned effectively without some degree of internal connivance or knowledge within the traffic unit. Investigators have not yet commented on the involvement of Lata's husband, who was posted in the traffic unit for six years before a recent transfer to the central range.
The crime branch continues its investigation, aiming to dismantle the entire network and uncover the full extent of this alarming extortion scheme targeting law enforcement officials themselves.
