Honey trap-2 mastermind Reshu built political connections before arrest:Claimed to be assembly poll contender, ran IAS coaching institute in Sagar

Police have widened the investigation in Madhya Pradesh’s Honey Trap-2 case, with fresh details emerging about the alleged mastermind, Reshu alias Abhilasha Choudhary. Investigators say Reshu rose from a modest colony in Makronia area of Sagar to establish connections with politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen. Initially, she reportedly built contacts with local BJP leaders and gradually became visible at political events and public gatherings. Over time, she projected herself as a political aspirant, claiming interest in contesting municipal and Assembly elections. Reshu had also launched an institute named Brahmaputra IAS Academy in Sagar and allegedly promoted herself as a successful UPSC candidate to attract students. The Indore Crime Branch, which recently arrested her, believes questioning could reveal major details involving politicians, officials and businessmen linked to the alleged racket. Claimed selection in UPSC 2015 Reshu Choudhary had opened the Brahmaputra IAS Academy in Sagar’s Katra Bazaar area. Pamphlets distributed for the institute described her as being “selected to a first-grade post in UPSC Examination 2015.” The academy claimed to provide coaching for competitive exams including UPSC, MPPSC, Sub-Inspector recruitment, police constable exams, railway recruitment and other state examinations. Advertisements also claimed that faculty members from a reputed Delhi academy would conduct special classes. However, within a short period, the coaching institute became controversial after allegations surfaced regarding non-payment for promotional and advertising activities. The dispute eventually led to the closure of the institute. After that, Reshu reportedly became fully active in politics and even prepared for contesting Assembly elections. Posters and hoardings promoting her political ambitions were put up across the city, though she never received a party ticket. Presented herself as foreign-educated Reshu belongs to a middle-class family from Vidyapuram Colony in Makronia, Sagar. Her family includes her differently-abled mother and younger sister. Her father passed away several years ago. People familiar with her claim she often portrayed herself as foreign-educated and was fluent in English. She reportedly preferred socializing with influential people and gradually developed an interest in politics. Sources say she participated in campaigning during several elections, including the Narayawali Assembly constituency campaign, and attempted to build political contacts in Bhopal and Delhi through senior leaders from Sagar. Shweta allegedly used Reshu’s political network The 2019 honey trap scandal had brought the name of Shweta Vijay Jain into public attention. Shweta is also originally from Sagar. After her release from jail, investigators say her earlier network weakened, following which she came in contact with Reshu Choudhary. Police suspect the two became close associates and used Reshu’s political and social connections to reach influential businessmen, contractors and politicians. Investigators claim objectionable videos were allegedly recorded in luxury hotels in Indore and later used for blackmail attempts. Police suspect organized targeting of wealthy individuals During questioning, police learned that accused Shweta Vijay Jain and Alka Dixit became friends while in jail. Reshu allegedly used to visit them there. Investigative agencies suspect the three women, along with some male associates, built a network aimed at trapping wealthy businessmen, politicians and influential individuals in honey trap operations. AI-generated photos also under investigation Reshu Choudhary had posted several photographs on social media with ministers and senior BJP leaders. One widely circulated image showed her presenting a bouquet to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Investigators now suspect that some of the images may have been generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence. Police are attempting to determine which political leaders and influential individuals actually had direct contact with her. More than 100 objectionable videos recovered Crime Branch officials have seized Reshu’s mobile phone and other digital devices. According to sources, investigators recovered more than 100 objectionable videos allegedly involving politicians, officials, businessmen and contractors. Police suspect the videos were used to extort crores of rupees. In some cases, negotiations were allegedly ongoing, while there are also claims that certain videos were being prepared for sale. Sources further claim that after Reshu’s arrest, two alleged audio clips began circulating in political circles. In the recordings, she is purportedly heard threatening to destroy someone’s career. However, police have not officially verified the authenticity of the clips. Filed harassment case against husband after returning from Oman Reshu Choudhary married Mahendra Choudhary, a resident of Raipur in Chhattisgarh, in 2018. Mahendra worked for a travel company in Muscat, Oman. After marriage, Reshu also moved to Muscat. After living there for several months, disputes reportedly arose between the couple. Reshu later returned to Sagar and filed a harassment case against her husband and in-laws. The matter is currently pending before a court in Sagar. Her husband has also filed a divorce petition. Sources claim lifestyle-related differences during their stay in Muscat led to the conflict. Delivery executive accused her of parcel fraud In February 2026, Reshu Choudhary’s name also surfaced in a parcel-related dispute. A delivery executive from an e-commerce company lodged a complaint at Makronia police station alleging that expensive items inside a parcel had been replaced. According to complainant Laxmikant Raj, he delivered a luxury perfume worth around ₹16,750 to Reshu’s residence. He alleged that Reshu asked him to wait for 10 minutes and took the parcel inside on the pretext of arranging payment. When she returned the package, its weight appeared lighter and the parcel tape had allegedly been tampered with. Upon opening the package, the delivery executive claimed he found a shampoo bottle instead of the perfume. A complaint was filed at Makronia police station, though no action was reportedly taken in the matter.