2 held for blackmailing businessman at Posta

Kolkata: Two persons, identified as Sravan Soni and Ravi Verma, have been arrested by Posta police station for allegedly blackmailing a businessman. It was alleged that the accused persons were using some pictures where the businessman could be seen being intimate with a woman.

Sources informed that the complainant is a resident of Guwahati, who owns a business in Hanspukuria Street. For his business, he used to travel between Guwahati and Kolkata frequently. A few months ago, he met with a woman and developed a close relationship with her. Recently, he went to a hotel with the woman and took some pictures while they were sharing personal moments.

After a few days, the businessman received a message containing a picture which he had clicked with the woman. The sender then called him and asked for Rs 50 thousand. The accused also threatened of circulating the pictures among his close ones if he did not pay the money.

After a few calls with the same demand, the businessman lodged a complaint with the Posta police station. After commencing investigation, sleuths traced the accused in and around Posta and Burrabazar, after getting the tower location of the number which was used to call the businessman.

Immediately, police requested the complainant to call the accused and ask him to receive the money. On Saturday night, when Soni came to take the money, he was surrounded by police. Later, Soni stated that he was doing this as per order from his friend Verma. Police then arrested Verma as well.

Later, it came to light that the complainant had showed the pictures to Verma, who is a friend of him. After seeing the pictures, Verma came up with the idea to blackmail and extort money from his friend.