Lady ‘tantrik’ built luxury life through ₹1.3 crore blackmail racket:Silver slippers, foreign temple feasts shock police; cash, jewellery, iPhones recovered

A high-profile blackmail gang has been exposed in Ashoknagar after police uncovered an alleged extortion racket that targeted a young woman through social media. The accused allegedly befriended the woman on Instagram, created obscene photos and videos, and then extorted nearly ₹1.3 crore by threatening to make the content viral. Police arrested Akash Chauhan and his wife Ayushi Chauhan in the case. During interrogation, several sensational details emerged about the gang’s operations and lavish lifestyle. According to police, the accused used the extorted money to buy luxury items and expensive jewellery. Investigators said Ayushi Chauhan wore silver slippers and carried a silver purse purchased with the money obtained through blackmail. Gang allegedly donated at temples ‘to avoid sin’ According to Ashoknagar Kotwali Police, the accused regularly visited temples across India and abroad. Police said they organised feasts and made donations at religious places because they feared they were “committing sin” through illegal earnings. So far, police have seized cash, vehicles, jewellery and luxury household items worth around ₹70 lakh from the accused. See pictures related to the incident Blackmail allegedly began after Instagram friendship Police said accused Aditya Tomar first contacted the victim on Instagram and later developed a relationship with her. Investigators claim obscene videos were recorded at Aryan Soni’s tattoo studio. After the videos were created, the accused allegedly began blackmailing the woman by threatening to circulate the content online. According to police, the extortion started in 2024. Initially, the gang demanded ₹5 lakh, out of which the victim allegedly paid ₹2 lakh. Later, another ₹1.5 lakh was taken in the name of deleting the videos. Police said the accused later posed as police officers and extorted ₹10 lakh. They allegedly demanded another ₹25 lakh by threatening to send the woman to jail. Over time, money was repeatedly taken under different pretexts. Eventually, the gang allegedly demanded ₹60 lakh more, forcing the victim to mortgage her jewellery. Most of the payments were allegedly collected in cash. Tattoo artist and tantric woman linked to gang The investigation has revealed that the gang included several people, including a tattoo artist and a woman allegedly involved in tantric rituals. Police said Ayushi Chauhan often visited religious places after receiving money from victims. She had also travelled to West Bengal for tantric rituals. Both the victim and the main accused are residents of Ashoknagar. Silver slippers, luxury gadgets and expensive vehicles recovered Police said Ayushi Chauhan lived a lavish lifestyle using the extorted money. During raids, officers recovered silver slippers, a silver purse, gold and silver jewellery worth lakhs, iPhones, Apple laptops, expensive watches and luxury household appliances. Among the seized items were a refrigerator worth nearly ₹1 lakh, a washing machine, wardrobe, dressing table and other costly items. Police also recovered ₹1.5 lakh in cash. Earlier, investigators had seized a Mahindra Thar Roxx, scooters and other vehicles linked to the accused. Feasts organised in Nepal and other states During interrogation, the accused allegedly told police they travelled frequently to religious places in states such as Assam, West Bengal and Rajasthan, as well as Nepal. Police said they travelled in their Thar vehicle and organised community feasts at temples, including one in Nepal. Mobiles and laptops sent for forensic examination Kotwali police station in-charge Ravi Pratap Singh Chauhan said the accused’s mobile phones and laptops have been sent for forensic examination. Police suspect the devices may contain videos and data linked to other women and possible victims. Investigators are now examining bank accounts and payment gateways used by the accused to trace financial transactions and identify whether more people were targeted by the gang. Seized property to be produced in court Police said the seized cash, jewellery and other assets will be presented before the court. Authorities are also exploring ways to provide compensation to the victim. All four accused are currently in police remand, and investigators believe more major revelations may emerge during further questioning.