Bhopal police nab ‘gangster groom’ from wedding venue:Priest held hostage, ₹8 lakh ransom demanded for release

Bhopal police on Wednesday afternoon arrested gangster groom Akash Bajpai from his wedding mandap. The groom, who is the head of the “Illegal” gang, along with his accomplices, had kidnapped a priest and physically assaulted him. They threatened to implicate him in a rape case and demanded a ransom of ₹8 lakh. The case falls under Kohefiza police station jurisdiction. According to reports, three of Akash’s associates were also arrested. All four had participated in the priest’s kidnapping. They initially took ₹50,000 as the first installment and planned to collect the remaining ₹7 lakh in five further installments. Victim reached police station immediately after being released After being released by the gang, the priest immediately went to Kohefiza police station to file a complaint. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday night, and the FIR was registered on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, police raided the wedding ceremony, which was taking place at a garden on Airport Road. Main accused already has 35 cases registered Police stated that the 26-year-old priest resides in a rented house in the Lalghati area, while the main accused Akash, also known as Bhura Haddi Bajpai, lives in Bajpai Nagar. Akash already has approximately 35 criminal cases pending and was recently out on bail in a murder case in Gandhinagar. Akash reportedly runs a criminal gang called “Illegal,” which includes more than 15 men and one woman. The accused’s wedding was scheduled for 12 March, and he needed money to cover the expenses. This prompted him and his accomplices to plan the kidnapping and extortion. Plan Made Based on Tenant’s Information Police investigations revealed that the priest was a tenant of a man who informed Akash that the priest’s lifestyle made him an easy target for extortion. Acting on this tip, the gang sent a woman to the priest’s house on Monday night. She knocked on the door, entered the house, and created a commotion. Conspiracy to Frame Priest in Rape Case Shortly after, 10–15 gang members entered the house. They physically assaulted the priest and falsely accused him of attempting rape. They forcibly took him to a flat belonging to gang member Taufiq, alias Shooter, where he was beaten further. The gang threatened to hand him over to the police. In fear for his life, the priest pleaded for release. The gang demanded ₹8 lakh as ransom. Using the gang’s mobile phone, the priest contacted his brother to arrange payment. Unable to provide the full amount immediately, they paid ₹50,000 online as the first installment to Akash’s account. Demanded 8 lakh ransom to save life Scared from the beating, the priest pleaded with the accused to let him go. After this, the accused demanded 8 lakh rupees in exchange for releasing him. The victim called his brother from the accused’s mobile phone asking to give the money. The brother expressed inability to arrange such a large amount immediately. After this, the accused asked for 50 thousand rupees immediately. The victim’s brother transferred 50 thousand rupees online to accused Akash Upadhyay’s account. They were blackmailing by making videos Station in-charge KG Shukla said that investigation revealed that the accused assaulted the priest as soon as they entered his house. The young woman also scuffled with him while making allegations. The incident was also recorded on mobile phone. The accused were blackmailing the priest by threatening to make the video viral. However, the police have not yet been able to seize the mobile phone from which the video was recorded and calls were made. Further investigation in the case is ongoing. Search for other members of the gang continues.