A swift response by Surat Police to a suicide alert not only saved a woman in distress but also revealed a cyberblackmail scheme and helped mend a strained marriage. The Amroli Police Station in Surat acted promptly upon receiving information about a woman in her thirties contemplating suicide. Despite not finding her at home, the police located her by the Tapi river, where she was found in a highly distressed state.
The woman, rescued before any harm, disclosed during initial questioning that she was facing severe emotional distress and accused her husband of physical abuse. However, further investigation uncovered a different truth. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-5), Lakhadirsinh Zala, mentioned that the initial rescue was triggered by a suicide risk alert, leading to the woman’s safe retrieval from the riverbank.
It was revealed that the woman had fallen victim to cybercrime after connecting with an individual on Instagram. The perpetrator, identified as Arjun alias Montu Upadhyay, coerced her with an explicit video, threatening to share it on social media unless she complied with his demands. This act not only strained the woman’s marriage due to the video being sent to her husband but also caused escalating domestic conflicts.
Surat Police, upon uncovering the cyberblackmail scheme, launched a technical investigation to trace the accused, Arjun alias Montu Upadhyay. Despite initial tracking to Bihar, he managed to evade capture by fleeing to Chhattisgarh. Eventually, he was apprehended in Telbandha village, Chhattisgarh, through meticulous surveillance and disguise by the police team.
Arjun alias Montu Upadhyay faces charges under relevant laws and remains in judicial custody. The police also intervened to counsel the husband, clarifying the misinformation and manipulated video sent by the accused. Following this intervention, the couple reconciled, underscoring the impact of cyberblackmail on victims and families and the importance of timely police action in averting tragedies and resolving social issues.
