Honeytrap gang busted, mastermind at large

Rajkot: Talala police in Gir Somnath district arrested two men and began a search for a girl and another man — the alleged mastermind — after a 29-year-old man named Rakesh Pandya filed an FIR for a honeytrap and extortion scheme.

The FIR was registered on Saturday, leading to the arrest of Aslam Bhatti (25) from Sasan Gir and Irfan Belim (21) from Sangodra village. The other accused — Salim alias Dawood Langha of Bhojdana village, alleged to be the prime suspect, along with a minor girl who played a role in the crime — are still at large.

According to Talala police inspector J N Gadhvi, Salim, who is Pandya's neighbour, instructed the girl to befriend him. She first messaged Pandya on Sep 2 and then called him to meet her on Saturday.

When Pandya arrived, the accused allegedly executed their plan. They assaulted him, accused him of having a relationship with ‘their sister', extorted Rs 7,000, broke his car window, and demanded Rs 10 lakh more. When Pandya said he could not pay the sum, they beat him some more and left him at a secluded spot, threatening to file a false police case if he reported the matter.

Police said the gang's modus operandi involved using women to lure men to secluded places via messages, WhatsApp chats and video calls, and then threatening them with public disgrace.

Police said Aslam Bhatti was earlier booked for assault by Mendarda police, while Irfan Belim has a history of assault charges.