Background and Timeline
In early January 2026, the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch arrested two individuals—a local newspaper editor and a political functionary, Ashwin Laxmikant Chauhan, vice-president of the Gujarat Pradesh Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—for allegedly honey-trapping a prominent builder and attempting to extort up to ₹10 crore. The case came to light after the builder filed a complaint, leading to swift police action.
Modus Operandi
The accused, Sunita alias Annie Rajput, befriended the builder and secretly recorded intimate videos using a hidden camera during private moments. She then handed the footage to Chauhan, who began blackmailing the builder via WhatsApp, threatening to make the video viral on social media and in print unless a ransom was paid. The initial demand was ₹10 crore, later reduced to ₹7 crore with a 24-hour ultimatum. The plan was allegedly masterminded by a third individual, Bini Gill, a gym trainer who remains absconding.
Victim Impact and Financial Losses
The builder faced severe psychological distress and reputational risk, prompting him to approach the police rather than succumb to the extortion. The case highlights the growing menace of honey-trap scams targeting high-net-worth individuals and leveraging digital platforms for blackmail.
Investigation and Agencies Involved
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch registered an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(e) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with violation of privacy. Technical surveillance and digital forensics were employed to identify and apprehend the accused. Digital devices used in the crime were seized, and further investigation is underway to determine if the accused were involved in similar offences or had additional victims.
Arrests and Legal Provisions
Ashwin Chauhan and Sunita Rajput have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The case is being prosecuted under BNS sections related to organized crime, cheating by personation, extortion, and IT Act provisions for privacy violations and transmission of obscene material.
Broader Implications and Trends
This incident underscores the intersection of digital privacy violations, extortion, and the misuse of social media for blackmail. It highlights the need for heightened awareness, robust privacy protections, and swift law enforcement response to digital honey-trap and sextortion cases. The use of BNS and IT Act provisions demonstrates the evolving legal framework for addressing such crimes in India.