Jail friendship allegedly turned into honeytrap racket:Gang targeted businessmen and politicians through blackmail videos and extortion demands

Shocking revelations have emerged in the Indore honeytrap and blackmail case, with police investigations pointing to an organised extortion network targeting businessmen, politicians and influential individuals. According to investigators, Bhopal resident Shweta Vijay Jain is believed to be the mastermind behind the gang accused of demanding Rs 1 crore in extortion from liquor businessman Hitendra Singh Thakur, also known as Chintu Thakur. Police said Shweta developed a close friendship with alleged liquor smuggler Alka Dixit while both were lodged in district jail. Investigators believe the blueprint of the honeytrap network was prepared during their time in prison. After securing bail, the duo allegedly began trapping influential people and extorting money through blackmail, photographs and videos. Police claim the gang had been active for nearly two years and may have targeted several high-profile victims, many of whom are reportedly unwilling to come forward due to fear of social embarrassment. Court sends five accused on six-day police remand According to DCP (Crime) Rajesh Kumar Tripathi, accused Shweta Jain, Alka Dixit, Jaideep Dixit, Lakhan Chaudhary and Jitendra Purohit were produced before a court on Tuesday. The court remanded all five accused to six days of police custody for further interrogation. During questioning, Shweta Jain reportedly told investigators that she met Alka Dixit in jail during the high-profile 2019 honeytrap case. At that time, Alka was imprisoned in connection with a liquor smuggling case. Police said the two became close in jail and remained in contact even after being released on bail. “Trap and Extort” was gang’s alleged modus operandi Investigators claim Alka was already associated with illegal activities and liquor smuggling before joining the alleged racket. According to police, Alka allegedly lured influential people into compromising situations at Shweta’s instructions. The gang would then use photographs and videos to blackmail victims and extort money. Officials said politicians, businessmen and other influential individuals were specifically targeted by the network. Police suspect that some individuals linked to the 2019 honeytrap scandal may also have remained connected to this network. Lakhan posed as BJP office-bearer to identify targets Police said accused Lakhan Chaudhary, a resident of Pithampur, allegedly posed as a BJP office-bearer while operating under the guise of a property dealer. Investigators claim he established contact with potential targets through real estate dealings and identified wealthy or influential individuals for the gang. The probe also revealed that after businessman Chintu Thakur was allegedly trapped, Alka sought advice from Vinod Sharma, a head constable posted in the intelligence branch. Police alleged that Alka even shared photographs of the businessman with the police official. Role of policeman and alleged journalist under investigation During interrogation, head constable Vinod Sharma reportedly admitted to being in contact with Alka Dixit. Investigators suspect he may have advised the accused on methods of blackmail and intimidation. The name of Dewas resident Jitendra Purohit, who allegedly projected himself as a journalist, has also surfaced during the investigation. Police claim Jitendra guided Alka on ways to extract money from victims and became part of the conspiracy. Attempt to target political leaders in Delhi Police investigations revealed that Shweta Vijay Jain allegedly attempted to target political leaders not only in Madhya Pradesh but also in Delhi. During interrogation, she reportedly disclosed details about a woman named Reshu, who allegedly had easy access to politicians and influential people. According to Shweta’s statement, Reshu extorted nearly Rs 1.5 crore from a Delhi-based political leader during Diwali. Police said the money was allegedly used to purchase a luxury car and invest in property. Investigators claim Reshu later began recording videos involving political leaders from the Nimar region. Shweta allegedly told police that Reshu could easily gain the trust of politicians and influential figures. She also claimed that a senior Congress leader had been in contact with Reshu and that certain videos had already been accessed. Police are currently searching for Reshu. Videos allegedly shared within the network Investigators said videos recorded by Reshu eventually reached Shweta Jain, who later shared the information with Alka Dixit. Police alleged the two then planned to use the videos for extortion, though the plan was reportedly unsuccessful. During this period, Alka allegedly contacted intelligence branch head constable Vinod Sharma and sent him the videos, asking how they could be used. Police said Alka referred to Vinod as “Jija” (brother-in-law). Investigators alleged that instead of discouraging her, Vinod advised the group on how to extort money. Businessman allegedly threatened on super corridor Police investigations revealed that businessman Chintu Thakur met Alka Dixit nearly a month ago. According to investigators, Alka and her associates allegedly pressured the businessman to give them a 50% stake in land deals and business operations. When he refused, the gang allegedly hatched a honeytrap conspiracy. Police claim objectionable photographs and videos of the businessman were created using a woman. Following this, Alka, Lakhan Chaudhary, Jaideep and Jitendra Purohit allegedly stopped the businessman’s car on Indore’s Super Corridor and demanded Rs 1 crore. The accused allegedly threatened to leak the videos publicly if the money was not paid. Police suspect long-running network targeting influential people Investigators believe Shweta Jain, who had previously been jailed in the 2019 honeytrap case, trained Alka and her associates on methods of trapping influential people. Police suspect the gang had been targeting major businessmen, property dealers and political figures for a long time. According to DCP Rajesh Kumar Tripathi, the investigation also revealed Alka’s alleged links with individuals involved in drug trafficking and illegal arms smuggling. After receiving the complaint, police formed seven teams comprising more than 40 officers and simultaneously conducted raids in Indore and Bhopal, leading to the arrest of five main accused. Ujjain land dispute allegedly triggered the operation Police sources said Alka Dixit’s dispute with a prominent businessman in Ujjain over a land deal may have triggered the operation. After not receiving payment, she allegedly began targeting influential individuals through the honeytrap network. Investigators believe the gang expanded its contacts among businessmen and politicians in Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain in an attempt to blackmail them. Police agencies suspect more individuals may be involved in the racket, and officials say several more high-profile names could emerge in the coming days.