Nagpur police have made a fresh arrest in a disturbing honeytrap and extortion case that targeted a senior doctor in the city. A woman identified as Ayushi Walde was taken into custody on Sunday for her alleged role in the racket, which also involved the use of a 16-year-old girl.
Mastermind Remains at Large as Key Accused Apprehended
While Ayushi Walde has been arrested and remanded in police custody until Wednesday, the suspected mastermind behind the operation, Mona Chikhlonde, is still evading capture. According to police, Ayushi is accused of introducing the minor girl to Chikhlonde. The trap was allegedly laid at Chikhlonde's residence in Gondia.
The case revolves around the head of department (HoD) of a Nagpur hospital. In September this year, the senior doctor was lured to Gondia. There, he was secretly filmed in a compromising situation by the gang.
From Extortion to Arrests: The Unfolding of the Case
Following the secret filming, the criminal group began blackmailing the doctor. They initially extorted approximately Rs 2 lakh from him. Their demands, however, escalated dramatically, with the gang later threatening the doctor and demanding a staggering Rs 2 crore to destroy the incriminating videos and drop threats of filing a false rape case against him.
Faced with these relentless threats, the victim doctor finally approached the Nagpur City Police Crime Branch. The police then set a trap for the accused. On December 18, three individuals were arrested red-handed while they were attempting to collect Rs 60 lakh from the doctor at a hotel.
The investigation gained further momentum after the case was transferred to the Tehsil police station. This led to a series of additional arrests. Initially, around seven people were nabbed by the police in connection with the racket.
Wider Net of Accused Includes Journalist
Among those previously arrested is Ravikant Kamble, a contributor to an English news portal. Kamble is currently admitted to Mayo Hospital. The other six individuals arrested earlier have been remanded to judicial custody as the police continue to probe the full extent of the honeytrap and extortion network.
The arrest of Ayushi Walde marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, but police efforts are now intensely focused on locating the alleged mastermind, Mona Chikhlonde, to bring the entire operation to justice.
