Blackmailing family gang, extorted Rs 33 lakhs from elderly man:Lady gang leader threatens to frame in rape case; husband-son extort money

In Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, a family formed a gang for extortion. It included husband-wife and son-daughter-in-law. The ringleader would befriend people on social media and threaten to trap them in rape cases by making videos. The other three would help in collecting money and threatening. The accused extorted Rs 33 lakh from an elderly person by threatening rape and also cheated a sub-inspector. Ringleader Parvati Bairagi is illiterate but knows how to read and write. Husband Rajendra Bairagi performs worship at Iklera temple. Son Sharad Bairagi is 10th pass and works as a driver. His wife Sanjna Bairagi is 12th pass. Police arrested all four from Shujalpur on April 11. Rs 10 lakh and a car were recovered from the accused. All four were presented in court on April 11 and sent to judicial custody. They got bail on April 12. Their mobiles have been seized for investigation. The accused did this for expensive clothes, mobiles and a luxury lifestyle. Dainik Bhaskar spoke with Kotwali in-charge Santosh Waghela to gather information about the gang. Meeting at temple, conversation started on video call TI Santosh Waghela said that on April 10, Rameshchandra Patidar (70) from Shajapur lodged a complaint at the Kotwali. He said, In the year 2023, I met Parvati and Rajendra Bairagi at the Shiv temple in Bharad. I donated Rs 50. They took my mobile number.” “After a few days, Parvati called. She asked for Rs 20,000 on the pretext of illness, but I refused. Later a video call came. We talked for about 20 minutes. She asked how I was looking. I said, you are looking good. Then the call got disconnected,” the victim said. He added, “Two days later, she called saying that the video had been seen by her husband and son. They would come home and create a scene, so give Rs 5,000. In the evening, Rajendra and Sharad came home and took the money.” Said, ‘Will defame you by posting video on social media’ A few days later, Sharad called. He said, “We will defame you by posting your video on social media and trap you in a false rape case.” They demanded Rs 5,00,000, and in panic I gave it. Since Parvati was from my village, she knew that I had sold my land. “After this, they repeatedly demanded money—sometimes Rs 1 lakh, sometimes Rs 5 lakh, and at times Rs 2 lakh. Over two years, I paid around Rs 33 lakh in cash. Now, they are demanding another Rs 20 lakh. They also made me sign blank affidavits,” the victim said. Built trust by being from same village, then made him victim Police investigation revealed that Rameshchandra Patidar and Parvati Bairagi met in her maternal village Bharad. It was there that she came to know that Rameshchandra had earned money by selling land. Parvati started her conspiracy from here. During interrogation, it was found that the family had formed a gang in 2023. So far they have defrauded five people. Some victims did not file complaints out of fear. Elderly and simple people are gang’s soft target The investigation revealed that the accused targeted simple, straightforward people over 50 years of age. The blackmailing method was well-planned. Parvati would first befriend them, then increase communication on WhatsApp and Instagram. After this, video calls would be made and recordings done. Money was extorted by threatening to make the video viral, falsely implicate them in rape cases, defame them, and threaten to kill them. They collected cash to avoid records These people took all the money in cash. To avoid records, they stayed away from bank and online transactions. They would call victims to different places and collect money in installments. They used this money for luxury and comfort. They liked expensive clothes and traveling. They were building their own house in Ashta. Mastermind Parvati had an iPhone, while the other members used expensive Android phones. Threatened to implicate SI in rape case In the year 2023, accused Parvati filed a rape case against Sub-Inspector Azad Chaudhary posted at Shujalpur police station. Azad Chaudhary said that Parvati used to visit his house. During this time, she made photos and videos. Later, using these, she demanded Rs 40,000. When he refused to pay, she threatened to implicate him in a rape case. After this, Parvati got the case registered. In the matter, colleague Sub-Inspector Chhatrasal also came for mediation, but Parvati got him also made an accused.