Former BJP leader and head constable arrested in Honeytrap case:Police probe possible links to politicians, officials and businessmen

In a major development in the Honey Trap-2 case linked to threats against liquor businessman Chintu Thakur in Indore, police have arrested Reshu alias Abhilasha, a resident of Sagar, and Vinod Sharma, a head constable posted in the Intelligence Wing of Indore Police. Both accused were produced before a magistrate at the judge’s bungalow, following which the court sent them to police remand till May 25. Given the high-profile nature of the case, officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in Delhi have also sought detailed information from Indore Police regarding the investigation. Sources indicate that several politicians, government officials and prominent businessmen may be linked to the alleged network. So far, multiple accused have already been arrested in the case, including alleged female trafficker Alka Dixit, Lakhan Chaudhary, Jaideep, Jitendra Purohit and alleged mastermind Shweta Jain. Former BJP SC-ST Morcha city president Investigators have found that Reshu alias Abhilasha was allegedly in contact with several influential people along with Shweta Jain, the main accused in the widely discussed Honey Trap-1 case in Bhopal. According to police sources, her network extended from Sagar, Bhopal, Ujjain and Indore to Delhi. Reshu had earlier served as the city president of the BJP Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribe Morcha in Sagar. She is originally from the Makronia area of Sagar district. According to available information, she had gone to Oman for higher studies, where she married a businessman. The couple later divorced. After returning to India, she reportedly became active in politics and also operated a UPSC coaching institute in Sagar. During that period, allegations of fraud by some individuals had also surfaced against her. Discussions over alleged proximity to MLA Sources claim that Reshu had come into public discussion in Sagar over her alleged closeness to an MLA. It is alleged that the MLA’s wife and family members had publicly confronted and reprimanded her at the time. Following the controversy, she reportedly came into contact with several individuals having suspicious and criminal backgrounds in the Makronia area. Investigating agencies have also reportedly received information about her alleged close association with a Union Minister of State in Delhi. Claimed UPSC and MPPSC credentials online According to investigators, Reshu projected herself differently across social media and online platforms. In some profiles, she claimed to have qualified the UPSC preliminary examination, while in others she described herself as an MPPSC Pre-2016 qualified candidate. Certain profiles also reportedly claimed that she had been selected in the Revenue Service. In 2016, she had launched a coaching institute named “Brahmaputra IAS Academy,” which was later shut down. Political ambitions and election preparations During the Covid period, Reshu was seen actively participating in social activities alongside several BJP leaders and an MLA. Photos and videos from that period had gone viral on social media, triggering discussions about her political influence and connections. There were also reports that after coming into contact with a senior BJP leader in Bhopal, she had started preparations to contest the Narayawali Assembly seat. She had reportedly put up hoardings in the constituency to establish her political presence. However, during the 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP fielded Pradeep Laria from the seat, and her political ambitions remained unfulfilled. Police continuing investigation into entire network Indore Police are currently trying to trace all links connected to the alleged honey trap network. Though officials have not yet confirmed any major revelations officially, the case has triggered significant political and administrative buzz in Sagar and other parts of Madhya Pradesh.