The Allahabad High Court ordered Uttar Pradesh Police to take strict action against gangs using women to honeytrap and blackmail men for money. The Court called the issue a “very serious matter” and directed police officials to maintain strict vigil and conduct a thorough investigation.
The Allahabad High Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to take strict action against gangs that are allegedly using women to honeytrap men and then extort money from them. The Court made serious observations about such crimes while hearing a case where some accused persons had approached the Court seeking quashing of an extortion FIR registered against them.
The case was heard by a Division Bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena. The Court refused to entertain the plea and said that such incidents show a very disturbing situation in society and need strict action by the police authorities.
During the hearing, the Court observed, “This is a very serious matter,” while refusing to entertain a plea seeking quashing of an extortion case against five people, including some policemen, accused of honeytrap by a man.
The Court further said that the matter requires a proper and thorough investigation at a higher level. It directed that the Inspector General of Police of the Meerut Zone should investigate the matter and also ensure that police officers in all districts remain alert about such gangs operating in their areas.
The Court also gave a strong warning about the increasing number of honeytrap and blackmail cases and said,
“He shall alert the entire district police chiefs in the zone to maintain strict vigil, if a gang of this kind is operating, or other gangs are also operating, blackmailing innocent people by utilising women for springing a honey trap, or in some other way, bringing about the same results. If offences like these are permitted to continue, it would become difficult to live in a decent world,”
According to the police case registered in Bijnor, the complainant alleged that he had gone to a hotel in Bijnor where he had sexual relations with a woman. Later, the accused persons allegedly recorded video clips and used them to blackmail him.
The accused persons allegedly demanded an amount between ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh from the complainant to settle the matter and not release the video clips.
However, instead of paying the money, the complainant approached the police and reported the matter. Based on his complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused persons.
After the FIR was registered, the accused persons approached the Allahabad High Court and filed a petition seeking quashing of the FIR. However, the Court refused to entertain the petition and observed that the case was serious in nature and required proper investigation. After the Court expressed its unwillingness to quash the FIR, the counsel for the petitioners withdrew the plea.
While passing the order, the Court said,
“This petition is dismissed as withdrawn, but not without the directions that we have made above,”
The Court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Director General of Police, the Inspector General of Police of Meerut Zone and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow so that necessary action can be taken and police authorities remain alert about such honeytrap and extortion gangs.
Advocate Shashank Dwivedi appeared for the petitioners, while Additional Government Advocate Shashi Shekhar Tiwari appeared for the State.
This order of the Allahabad High Court is important because the Court has not only refused to quash the FIR but has also issued directions to senior police officers to take preventive steps and maintain strict vigil against such honeytrap gangs. The Court clearly indicated that such crimes are dangerous for society and must be dealt with strictly through proper investigation and police action.
Case Title:
Fojiya and others v State of UP and Others
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