Ludhiana Couple and accomplice arrested for extorting ₹50k from farmer

A woman and her husband, along with an accomplice, were arrested for extorting ₹50,000 from a farmer by recording "lewd videos" and threatening to upload them online. The police set a trap and arrested the trio near the Jagera Canal Bridge in Ludhiana on Friday.

The extortion scheme

The accused have been identified as Akbari, her husband Karanvir Singh, and their aide Kamalpreet Singh, all from Sekha village in Khanna. The incident came to light after Bittu, a farmer from Sema Patti village in Kila Raipur, filed a complaint. Bittu explained that his wife had left him five years ago and he had met Akbari in December last year. They had consensual physical relations, but on May 22, Karanvir and Kamalpreet caught him in a compromising situation with Akbari and recorded a video.

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The trio then threatened to make the video viral unless Bittu paid them ₹50,000. To meet their demands, Bittu withdrew ₹20,000 from his bank account and borrowed ₹30,000 from a neighbor. However, the accused continued to demand another ₹50,000 from him.

Police action and arrest

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Subhash Chand, who is investigating the case, stated that an FIR was lodged under sections 384 (extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on Bittu's statement. On Friday, when the accused arrived near Jagera Canal Bridge to collect more money, the police were ready. They laid a trap and arrested Akbari, Karanvir Singh, and Kamalpreet Singh. The police also seized two mobile phones and a bike from the accused.

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ASI Chand also revealed that Akbari is already facing charges under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act from a 2019 case at the Dehlon station. The police are now questioning the trio to determine if they have blackmailed and extorted others in a similar manner.

The accused are currently in the custody of Ludhiana police, and further investigations are ongoing.