Mumbai: Jammu & Kashmir cricketer Farkhanda Khan, along with her brother Bazil and their associate Uddin Wani, allegedly conspired to create fear in the mind of a Colaba businessman by threatening to circulate his private WhatsApp messages and chats and harm his family, Mumbai crime branch said in its 1,500-page chargesheet. The threats allegedly forced the victim to transfer a total Rs 64 lakh to bank accounts controlled by the accused, it added.Police have invoked sections of extortion, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy, besides Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.According to the chargesheet filed earlier this month, the complainant came in contact with Farkhanda, a national-level player who has represented the U-23 J&K team, through social media in 2023. The two subsequently communicated through WhatsApp and other platforms. Police alleged that in early 2024, Farkhanda recorded their phone conversations and took screenshots of their messages before allegedly threatening to ruin his life if he did not pay her.The complainant initially transferred Rs 20,000, but was allegedly threatened with a sexual assault complaint and arrest. Fearing legal action and threats to his reputation and family, he allegedly transferred Rs 23.61 lakh through 32 online transactions. He later transferred another Rs 40 lakh.Police alleged that the money was initially credited to Farkhanda’s account and was subsequently transferred to Wani’s account before being routed back to her. Police said Farkhanda then distributed portions of the alleged proceeds among the accounts of her parents, brother, aunt and other acquaintances to conceal the money trail.The investigation also allegedly traced the money to the purchase of a second-hand high-end car. Further, Farkhanda told investigators that the vehicle was bought for Rs 10 lakh from a car dealer in Delhi, with Bazil and Wani allegedly assisting in the purchase. A further Rs 1.25 lakh was allegedly spent on repairs.Police also alleged that the proceeds were used to buy mobile phones for the three accused and renovate a room at Farkhanda’s house in Srinagar.The chargesheet records Farkhanda had sent the money to Bazil who required funds for his studies at Phillips University in Cyprus.The investigation intensified after Farkhanda allegedly switched off her mobile phone and left India on February 28, travelling from Delhi to Cairo and later to Larnaca, Cyprus.Farkhand was arrested on her return to Delhi from Cyprus on April 15. Police later extracted data from their mobile phones containing WhatsApp chats and messages relevant to the alleged threats.Bazil and Wani were granted bail subject to conditions. Farkhanda’s bail application was rejected and she remains in judicial custody.
