Bhopal, Mar 12: An alleged gangster was arrested from his own wedding mandap in Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal for allegedly kidnapping a priest and demanding ransom to fund his marriage function, police said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Akash Bajpai, also known as ‘Bhoora Haddi’, was taken into custody late on Wednesday evening along with three of his alleged accomplices during his wedding ceremony following a complaint lodged by the victim.
According to police, Bajpai has around 35 criminal cases pending against him and has allegedly been running an extortion gang since 2018.
“The groom, identified as Akash Bajpai, along with three of his alleged accomplices, was arrested during his wedding ceremony based on a complaint filed by the victim,” said K G Shukla, in-charge of Kohefiza Police Station.
Police said the gang allegedly hatched a honey-trap plot to extort money from a priest. As part of the plan, a woman associated with the gang entered the priest’s rented house on Monday night and began shouting, prompting several gang members waiting outside to rush in.
Nearly a dozen men allegedly assaulted the priest and abducted him, police said.
The gang later contacted the victim’s brother and demanded a ransom of ₹8 lakh for his release. Unable to arrange such a large amount immediately, the priest’s brother transferred ₹50,000 online as the first instalment, following which the priest was released.
After his release, the victim lodged a complaint at Kohefiza Police Station on Tuesday night.
Acting swiftly, the Bhopal Police registered an FIR and tracked down the accused, eventually arresting Bajpai from his wedding venue on Wednesday evening.
“Akash alias Bhoora Haddi walked into his wedding ceremony as a free man. He left it in handcuffs,” a police official said, highlighting the swift action taken in the case.
Officials said the entire process—from complaint to FIR and arrest—was completed in less than 24 hours, which they described as a strong response to serious crimes such as kidnapping for ransom.
Police are continuing their investigation and further legal action against the accused and his associates is underway.
