In a shocking incident that has rattled the Koderma district, two school-going minors were allegedly subjected to harassment and extortion at gunpoint by two unidentified men near a popular waterfall. The traumatic event occurred on Thursday but came to light only on Friday after the victims mustered the courage to approach the Tilaiya police station.
The Harrowing Ordeal at Vrindaha Waterfall
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the victims, the boy and girl had visited the scenic Vrindaha waterfall, located under the Jarga panchayat, on Thursday morning. They had travelled to the spot on a motorcycle. As they were preparing to leave and return home, their day out turned into a nightmare.
Two unknown men intercepted them. The accused first seized the keys to their bike, effectively trapping them. They then held the terrified students at gunpoint. The situation escalated rapidly from there.
Forced Acts, Video Recording, and Digital Extortion
The assailants then allegedly forced the two minors into compromising positions with each other. In a calculated move to blackmail them, one of the accused filmed the entire encounter on a mobile phone. Using this video as leverage, the men then demanded a sum of Rs 10,000 from the petrified students.
They threatened to circulate the incriminating video on various social media platforms if the money was not paid immediately. Fearing social ruin and further danger, the boy scrambled to arrange funds. He called his friends over the phone and managed to gather money. Subsequently, a sum of Rs 4,635 was transferred to the accused via a UPI payment. Only after receiving this amount did the two men flee the scene, leaving the traumatised students behind.
Police Launch High-Priority Investigation
Upon receiving the complaint on Friday, the Tilaiya police swung into action. Subdivisional Police Officer Anil Kumar Singh confirmed to the media that a formal FIR has been registered. Recognizing the severe nature of the crimes involved—which include criminal intimidation, extortion, and potentially more serious charges—the police are treating the case with utmost urgency.
"A special investigative team has been deployed to conduct raids across the region," stated SDPO Singh. He emphasized, "Considering the gravity of the crime, investigation is being handled with the utmost priority, and the culprits will be arrested soon." Despite the swift response and ongoing raids, no arrests had been made till Friday evening.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of tourists, especially young people, in isolated picnic spots around Koderma. It also highlights the disturbing new trend of criminals using instant digital payment methods like UPI for extortion, making the trail both electronic and urgent for cyber cell assistance.
