Engineering Student Nabbed in Pune for Extortion Attempt Against Traffic Officer
In a startling incident in Pune, the Wakad police have taken into custody a 19-year-old engineering student from a private college for allegedly attempting to blackmail a traffic constable. The arrest occurred on Thursday following a complaint filed by constable Machhindra Baramate of the Wakad traffic division. The student was apprehended from the Sambhajinagar area, and a formal case has been registered against his two accomplices under sections 308(2) for extortion and 3(5) for common intention as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Allegations of Corruption Spark Blackmail Scheme
The controversy began on Tuesday evening during a routine traffic check at Bhujbal Chowk in Wakad. Constable Baramate stopped the student's vehicle and, upon checking details via a mobile application, discovered a pending traffic challan of Rs 13,000 from the year 2024. According to police reports, the student agreed to settle a portion of the fine by paying Rs 500 online and Rs 500 in cash. However, due to technical limitations of the e-challan system, which processes only one payment at a time, the student left the scene and returned with Rs 1,000 in cash.
The student then requested Baramate to accept the cash and complete the online payment on his behalf. Although a receipt was generated after a brief delay caused by technical issues, it was promptly handed over to the accused. Despite this, the student later alleged that Baramate had pocketed the Rs 1,000 without providing a receipt, setting the stage for the blackmail attempt.
Threats and Demands Escalate the Situation
Subsequently, the student, accompanied by two accomplices, visited the Wakad traffic division and confronted other constables. They claimed to have recorded the entire interaction and threatened to release the video publicly unless their demands were met. The accused demanded Rs 50,000 from Constable Baramate and insisted that he clear the pending Rs 13,000 fine on the vehicle. Assistant Police Inspector Ambarish Deshmukh, who is leading the investigation, revealed that the student falsely presented himself as a journalist to intimidate the officers, warning that the video would be used against them.
Unbeknownst to the trio, one of the constables at the division was secretly recording their threats. Upon realizing they were being filmed, the student and his accomplices attempted to flee the scene. After a brief chase, traffic constables managed to apprehend the student, while his two aides escaped. Police have identified the accomplices and anticipate their arrest soon.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The arrested student was produced before a local court on Thursday and has been remanded to Yerawada Central Prison. Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate and detain the remaining suspects involved in this extortion plot. This case highlights the severe consequences of attempting to exploit law enforcement officials through false allegations and threats.
Incidents like these underscore the importance of transparency and proper documentation during traffic enforcement activities. The Wakad police have reiterated their commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that such attempts at coercion are dealt with firmly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.
