Bhubaneswar: An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Odisha’s Excise department was arrested by the Cyber Police in Berhampur for allegedly blackmailing his former lover with intimate photos.
The accused, identified as Surendra Pradhan, is posted as ASI at Athmallik Excise police station in Angul district. Pradhan was earlier working at the Excise intelligence unit in Berhampu
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As per police sources, the accused came in contact with a woman from Berhampur through social media and developed a relationship with her on the promise of marriage.
In the process, Pradhan had allegedly captured photos of their intimate moments in his phone. It was alleged that he later blackmailed the women and sought money from the latter by threatening her with those photos, police said.
The woman reportedly sent Rs 40,000 to Pradhan through digital mode after borrowing the money. However, the accused demanded more money. Finding no other way, the woman lodged a complaint in this regard with the Cyber Police in Berhampur.
Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and arrested the accused from Athmallik. He was later produced in a court in Berhampur.