Akola: A senior officer working at a private bank in Akola was allegedly sexually assaulted and blackmailed by a group of four men who had befriended him through a gay dating platform. Khadan police have arrested two of the accused, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining two.According to police sources, the victim had connected with the accused — Manish Naik and Mayur Bagde — through a dating app for the LGBTQ community. After days of online interaction, the accused arranged an in-person meeting at a secluded riverside spot.When the officer arrived at the location, he was ambushed by four individuals. They allegedly sexually assaulted him and secretly recorded the act on a mobile phone. The footage was later used to blackmail the victim, with threats to leak the video unless he paid them money.Under duress, the officer ended up transferring a total of ₹80,000 to the blackmailers over a period of time. Unable to bear the ongoing harassment, he finally approached Khadan police and filed a complaint.The police then laid a trap by arranging a fake meeting with the accused. As the suspects arrived at the agreed location, officers swiftly moved in and apprehended two of them.“There is a strong possibility that the accused may have trapped others using similar methods. We have sought police custody for detailed interrogation. Anyone who has faced similar harassment should come forward without fear; their identity will be protected,” said senior inspector Manoj Kedar.Akola police have appealed to users of such platforms to remain cautious and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. Efforts are on to trace the remaining two suspects involved in the assault. The case has once again highlighted the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes targeting vulnerable individuals through online platforms. Cybercrime experts and activists are urging stronger monitoring of dating apps and more awareness about the risks involved.
