A serving sub-inspector has been accused of plotting a honeytrap against his own brother in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh amid an ongoing property dispute, police said. Following preliminary findings, the officer has been suspended, while five people allegedly connected to the racket have been arrested.
Property Dispute Behind Alleged Conspiracy
According to investigators, sub-inspector Neeraj Kumar, posted at Milak Khanam police station in Rampur district, had been involved in a long-standing land dispute with his brother Rakesh Kumar. Police allege that Neeraj Kumar contacted a honeytrap network to pressure and implicate his brother.
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Officials said the alleged operation was coordinated with the help of Omkar Singh, who is suspected of running the network. As part of the plan, a young woman was allegedly assigned to contact Rakesh Kumar and gradually build familiarity with him through repeated phone conversations.
Investigators believe the communication followed a pattern of social engineering, where trust is first developed before being misused for blackmail or extortion.
Victim Threatened With False Case
Police said the woman later invited Rakesh Kumar to Hapur on May 6 under the pretext of an outing. During the meeting, several photographs were allegedly taken, which investigators suspect were meant to be used later for coercion.
Authorities said the woman allegedly took ₹500 from the victim shortly after the meeting. The group later allegedly demanded ₹20,000 and threatened to implicate him in a false rape case if he did not pay.
Rakesh Kumar later approached Gulawathi police with a written complaint on May 13, after suspecting that he had been trapped in a planned conspiracy. Police then began examining digital evidence, call records and local inputs.
Five Arrested, Digital Evidence Under Probe
During the investigation, police arrested five people, including the woman involved, her father and other alleged associates. Officers also recovered a Thar vehicle and four mobile phones believed to have been used during the alleged operation.
The seized phones are expected to help investigators examine chats, call logs and communication trails linked to the case. Police are also looking into whether the suspended sub-inspector had any earlier connection with similar activities or whether the alleged conspiracy was limited to the family dispute.
Interrogation of the arrested accused is underway. Investigators are analysing digital evidence, financial transactions and communication records, and officials believe more details may emerge as the probe continues.
