PANIPAT, Mar 28: Police in Panipat have registered a fresh case against three persons, including a woman advocate, in an alleged honey trap and extortion racket, officials said on Saturday.
The accused — Anju Kadian, Sonu Jaglan and advocate Pooja Sharma — are already lodged in judicial custody in connection with another similar case involving a Malaria Inspector.
According to the complaint, the victim, Satpal, was allegedly lured by a woman on the pretext of marriage after meeting her at a court complex. He was later called to her residence, where she behaved inappropriately, following which a co-accused entered and accused him of rape, threatening to implicate him in a false case.
“They demanded Rs 10 lakh for not lodging any case against him,” the victim stated in his complaint. The matter was later “settled for Rs 6 lakh,” with the victim paying Rs 2.40 lakh upfront and being forced to sign a document for the remaining amount on stamp paper.
Police said advocate Pooja Sharma allegedly acted as a mediator in the deal and later sent a legal notice to the victim seeking payment of the balance amount.
Fearing further harassment, the victim reportedly went into hiding in Himachal Pradesh and approached the police only after learning about a similar case registered against the same accused.
Based on his complaint, an FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation has been initiated.
Officials said the accused had earlier been arrested for allegedly honey-trapping a Malaria Inspector and extorting money by threatening to file a fake rape case. In that case, they had allegedly demanded Rs 11 lakh before settling for Rs 4 lakh.
“A case has been registered and investigation has been initiated,” police said, adding that further probe is underway.
