Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Apr 17: A charitable initiative took a tragic turn when a 28-year-old man from Bantwal, who was raising money for a poor woman’s wedding, allegedly fell victim to a honeytrap and blackmail, eventually attempting suicide.

The victim, Akbar Siddique, a resident of Pandavarakallu in Badagakajekaru village, is currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mangaluru.

According to police sources, Akbar had been collecting donations under the Al Madina Trust banner to support the wedding of a girl from Mangaluru. On the night of April 8, a woman contacted him via WhatsApp claiming to be the bride’s sister. Introducing herself as Minaj, she offered to help raise more funds and initiated a series of chats and video calls with him.

Asif and Rauf Bengare

However, the situation quickly spiralled when, the following day, two men—identified as Asif and Rauf Bengare—allegedly contacted Akbar and issued threats. They claimed to have screenshots and recordings of his interactions with Minaj and demanded Rs 3 lac in cash along with three sovereigns of gold (about 24 grams), warning that the material would be leaked on social media if he did not comply by April 10.

Shaken by the blackmail, Akbar reportedly consumed poison on April 12. A case has been registered at Punjalkatte police station against the trio—Asif, Rauf Bengare, and Minaj—and an investigation is underway.