Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 2: The special wing of the CCB police has apprehended a preschool teacher and two accomplices, including a known rowdy-sheeter, for allegedly honey-trapping and extorting a Bengaluru-based industrialist.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 25-year-old Sridevi Rudagi, 38-year-old Ganesh Kale, and 28-year-old Sagar More. Kale, a habitual offender from Vijayapura city, has nine criminal cases registered against him.

According to police sources, the industrialist became acquainted with the accused teacher in 2023 when he enrolled his children at her preschool. Over time, she borrowed Rs 2 lac from him, promising repayment within a year. However, when he requested the money back, she suggested that he become her business partner instead. The two then developed a close relationship, with the teacher even purchasing a separate SIM card for private communication with him.

At one point, she convinced him to accept a kiss in exchange for Rs 50,000. This marked the beginning of a larger extortion scheme, with the accused later demanding Rs 15 lac. When he resisted, she, along with her accomplices, coerced him into paying Rs 1.90 lac under the threat of releasing private videos and messages online.

On March 12, the industrialist was called to the preschool under the pretense of collecting his children's transfer certificates. Upon arrival, he was confronted by the accused and was falsely accused of having an affair with the teacher, who claimed to be engaged to Sagar More. The trio initially demanded Rs 1 crore for their silence but later settled for Rs 20 lac, successfully extorting Rs 1.90 lac from him.

When the demands persisted, with another extortion attempt of Rs 15 lac on March 17, the industrialist approached the police. Following an investigation, the CCB police arrested the three suspects, and further inquiries are ongoing.