BELAGAVI: The police have arrested three people who were posing as journalists and blackmailing people, including a woman government officer, in Belagavi. The trio, identified as Sameer Nisar Sheikh, Abdul Rashid Makandar, and Mohammad Dilawar Balekundri, had installed hidden cameras in the officer’s bedroom and captured her private moments with her partner.
The accused had been targetting the woman officer, who was living alone, and had been monitoring her activities. They had bribed her housekeeper to get the keys to her house and had installed hidden cameras in her bedroom and other strategic locations. The cameras were cleverly disguised as electric bulb holders, and the accused had used them to capture the officer’s private moments.
The accused had then used the footage to blackmail the officer, demanding Rs 50 lakh from her and threatening to release the videos on social media and news channels if she didn’t comply. The officer had been receiving threats from the accused for two months, and they had been harassing her constantly.
Finally, the officer approached the police, who had launched an investigation into the matter. The police had conducted a sting operation and arrested the three accused.
The police have seized several items from the accused, including two Samsung Ultra mobile phones, a Vivo mobile phone, a 64 GB pen drive, six hidden cameras, two OTG devices, eight 128 GB memory cards, and an Innova Crysta car. The police are continuing their investigation and are looking for the housekeeper, who is still at large.
Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase told the media on Friday, “The officer had lodged a complaint at the Malmaruti police station alleging that hidden cameras were placed in her house and that the accused had demanded Rs 50 lakh after capturing her private moments. An FIR was registered under BNS and IT Act. On the advise of the police, the victim agreed to pay the money at a pre-decided spot from where the three accused, Sameer Nisar Ahmed Sheikh (32), Abdul Rashid Nazeer Ahmed Makandar (51) and Mohammed Dilawar Nazeer Ahmed (43). A lot of digital devices were seized from them. If there are others involved, we will arrest them”.
“They had ordered the hidden cameras designed like light bulb holders online. The victim would leave the key at a certain place and the accused got the information from the housekeeper and fixed the hidden cameras after gaining entry. Hidden cameras are a reality in today’s circumstances and we appeal to citizens to be wary when in public spaces to prevent such crimes and report to the police immediately”, the commissioner said.
The incident has sparked a controversy in Belagavi, with journalists and officials expressing shock and outrage. The police have assured the public that they will take strict action against anyone found involved in such activities.
