Allahabad High Court Directs UP Police to Combat Honeytrap Extortion Rackets
The Allahabad High Court has issued a stern directive to the Uttar Pradesh Police, ordering them to take decisive action against criminal gangs that are allegedly using women to honeytrap men for the purpose of extorting money. This significant judicial intervention came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by the accused individuals involved in such a case.
Court Decries 'Pernicious State of Affairs'
A division bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena expressed grave concern over these incidents, stating that such cases reveal a "very pernicious state of affairs in the society." The bench emphasized the serious nature of these crimes and their detrimental impact on social decency.
In an order dated March 30, the court firmly refused to entertain a plea seeking the quashing of an extortion case against five people, which included some policemen. The accused were implicated in a honeytrap scheme targeting a man. The court underscored that this case necessitates a thorough investigation by the Inspector General of Police of the Meerut Zone.
Police Chiefs Alerted to Maintain Vigilance
The court further instructed that police chiefs across all districts must be alerted to remain vigilant and aware of such gangs operating within their jurisdictions. "He shall alert the entire district police chiefs in the zone to maintain strict vigil, if a gang of this kind is operating, or other gangs are also operating, blackmailing innocent people by utilizing women for springing a honeytrap, or in some other way, bringing about the same results," the court ordered.
Highlighting the broader implications, the court warned, "If offences like these are permitted to continue, it would become difficult to live in a decent world." This statement reflects the judiciary's deep apprehension about the erosion of societal values due to such predatory activities.
Background of the Case
The case originated from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, where a man lodged a formal complaint alleging that a woman and her accomplices had blackmailed him. According to the complaint, the accused recorded a video of him engaging in sexual activity with the woman at a hotel and subsequently demanded Rs 8-10 lakh to settle the matter.
Instead of succumbing to the extortion, the complainant reported the incident to the police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). The accused then approached the Allahabad High Court by filing a writ petition, seeking the quashing of the FIR. However, the court deemed the case too serious to dismiss and refused to entertain the plea.
Following the court's stance, the counsel for the petitioners withdrew the petition. The court stated, "This petition is dismissed as withdrawn, but not without the directions that we have made."
Court's Directives for Action
To ensure effective implementation of its orders, the court directed that the judgment be communicated to key authorities, including:
- The Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh
- The Inspector General of Police (IG) of the Meerut Zone
- The Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the Government of Uttar Pradesh
This move aims to coordinate a statewide response and enhance police efforts to dismantle these extortion networks. The court's proactive measures highlight a judicial commitment to safeguarding citizens from such exploitative schemes and maintaining law and order in the state.
