Since two districts are involved in the case and investigations have revealed the possibility of more victims, Mr Kumar said further investigation would be done by the Central Crime Branch officials.
The city police have arrested two people from Chikkamagaluru for allegedly being involved in honeytrap an astrologer. Police have named the arrested people as 30-year-old Bhavya, a resident of Somvarpet in Kodagu district, and Kumar alias Raju, 35, a resident of Arkalgud taluk in Hassan district. Both lived in a residential apartment in the city’s Mary Hill.
Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar told reporters on Friday that Kumar and Bhavya, who worked as a car driver, were living together for the last two years. Kumar had known the astrologer, who is also a priest, for the past few weeks and called him to his apartment in August to “home”.
According to the priest, Bhavya allegedly went ahead and captured the act. Threatening the astrologer to release pictures and videos on social media, Bhavya and Kumar allegedly extorted a total of Rs 49 lakh from the astrologer on different dates. While ₹15 lakh was taken in cash, the remaining ₹34 lakh was deposited by the arrested persons in different accounts mentioned on different dates.
Mr Kumar said those arrested threatened the astrologer with mobile phones. They posed as activists, media persons and police to intimidate the astrologer. The harassment had prompted the astrologer to attempt suicide.
After the complaint of the astrologer, both the accused were arrested. Police have recovered Rs 31,000, two gold rings worth Rs 37,000 and their four mobile phones.
Since two districts are involved in the case and investigations have revealed the possibility of more victims, Mr Kumar said further investigation would be done by the Central Crime Branch officials. He called upon the victims to report to the police about the harassment faced by the arrested persons.
The arrested persons have allegedly used ₹10 lakh to take out a residential flat on lease. He has also bought furniture worth ₹7 lakh and a two-wheeler with the same money. Both have also visited different places of the country in the last few days. All these aspects were being examined.
Police are checking four mobile phones of those arrested and other evidence to trace other alleged associates. The court has allowed the police to keep the arrested persons in their custody for five days, Mr Kumar said.
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