Bahraich police arrest blackmailer who extorted Rs 5.2 lakh using objectionable photos

Bahraich Police Station Dargah Sharif has achieved a major breakthrough in a blackmail and extortion case, arresting the accused and recovering cash and assets worth over Rs 2.5 lakh that were purchased from the proceeds of the crime.

The accused, Himanshu Tayal alias Shami son of Subhash Tayal, resident of Fatteipura near Dalmiya Dharmshala under Kotwali Nagar police station in Bahraich district, was arrested in an operation led by Station House Officer Amitendra Singh. The arrest was made under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh and Circle Officer (City) Narayan Datt Mishra, following directions and guidance from Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Srivastava as part of an ongoing campaign to curb crime and criminals in the district.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim, the incident began when Himanshu Tayal approached the complainant's wife on the pretext of helping her lose weight. During this interaction, the accused obtained objectionable photographs of the woman. Using these photographs as leverage, Tayal began blackmailing the victim's family, threatening to make the photographs viral and also threatening to kill the complainant's son. Through these threats and intimidation tactics, the accused extorted a total amount of Rs 5,20,000 from the complainant's wife. Not satisfied with this amount, the accused continued to demand an additional Rs 10,00,000 from the family.

Based on the written complaint submitted by the victim, a case was registered at the local police station under relevant sections of law. Recognizing the gravity of the matter, Superintendent of Police Bahraich Vishwajeet Srivastava constituted two police teams at the local station to ensure the swift arrest of the accused and recovery of the extorted money.

The police teams worked on intelligence inputs and human sources to track down the accused. Acting on information provided by an informer, police intercepted and arrested Himanshu Tayal near the Railway Station, Bahraich. During the arrest, police recovered Rs 1,00,000 in cash and two mobile phones from his possession. Examination of the mobile phones revealed that they contained the objectionable photographs that had been used to blackmail the victim's wife.

Following his arrest, the accused was subjected to rigorous interrogation regarding the remaining amount extorted from the complainant's wife. Based on information provided by Himanshu Tayal during questioning, police conducted a search at his residence. From his house, police recovered an additional Rs 1,50,000 in cash. Apart from the cash, police also seized one HF Deluxe Plus motorcycle bearing registration number UP 40 BQ 3767, one Daikin 1.5 Ton 3-star inverter air conditioner, and one Samsung LED television, all purchased with the extorted money and recovered along with their purchase bills. The total cash recovery from both the arrest site and the accused's residence amounted to Rs 2,50,000.

Investigation revealed that Himanshu Tayal alias Shami has a criminal history with three previous cases registered against him. These include Case Number 418/2026 under Sections 308(5)/351(3) of BNS at Dargah Sharif police station, Bahraich; Case Number 1179/2012 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act at Kotwali Nagar, Bahraich; and Case Number 1204/2012 under Sections 457/380/411 IPC at Kotwali Nagar, Bahraich.

After completion of the necessary legal formalities and proceedings against the accused, Himanshu Tayal is being sent to the Hon'ble Court, Bahraich for further legal action. The arrest operation was carried out by a police team comprising Station House Officer Amitendra Singh, Senior Sub-Inspector Chandra Pratap Singh, Sub-Inspector Pankaj Chaurasia, Head Constable Mrityunjay, Head Constable Angad Rai, and Constable Vivek Yadav.

The successful operation demonstrates the Bahraich police's commitment to taking strict action against criminals involved in blackmail and extortion, and to recovering ill-gotten assets and returning them to victims through the legal process.