MUMBAI: A 32-year-old chartered accountant, Raj Leela More, tragically took his own life at his Santacruz home after enduring relentless blackmail that forced him to pay approximately ₹3 crore (US$364,000) over an 18-month period. Police allege the extortion was conducted by two individuals, Rahul Parwani (26), an aspiring model, and Saba Qureshi (22), whom More met via Instagram. The duo allegedly obtained compromising video material and threatened to make it public unless he transferred the money. More’s three-page suicide note explicitly blamed the pair for his death, citing the constant threats, forced payments, and emotional torment.
Mumbai Police File Charges as Financial and Emotional Toll Emerges
According to Mumbai’s Vakola police, More was coerced into draining personal savings, pilfering funds from his company account, and even purchasing a luxury car using his name, while the accused collected monthly loan EMIs. He had previously registered police complaints but was unable to escape mounting pressure. On Saturday evening, while his ailing mother slept nearby, More ingested poison. He was discovered unconscious and later pronounced dead at a hospital. The police have registered charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for extortion and abetment to suicide.
Behind the Facade: Social Media Trust Weaponised
Digital Grooming Tactics
Police say Parwani initiated contact on Instagram and gradually built trust before introducing Qureshi into the scheme. Their method blended personal manipulation with digital control, reinforced by threats to leak intimate content. The harassment escalated, including public humiliation, visits to More’s home, accusations about private videos, and emotional torture targeting both him and his mother.
Financial Control as Leverage
More’s access to corporate finances was exploited. Investigators found he was forced to divert company funds to the extortionists. A luxury SUV was purchased in his name, with More coerced into paying EMIs. Police are auditing transactions traced to Parwani—₹2.44 crore—and Qureshi—₹2.6 lakh.
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Mental Health, Cybercrime and Legal Accountability
A Cry for Help Left Unheard
More’s suicide notes revealed deep despair. One addressed his mother with an apology; another requested forgiveness from colleagues for unauthorised financial transfers; the third held the extortionists morally and legally responsible. His family described him as a cancer survivor and high-earning professional crushed by malicious coercion.
Police Investigate with International Implications
Mumbai police have launched a manhunt. Parwani and Qureshi face charges for extortion, abetment to suicide, and fraud. The case highlights urgent gaps in social media safety and cybercrime deterrence. Authorities urge users to remain cautious when forming online relationships, especially when pressured for money or compromising content.
About the Author – Sahhil Taware is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.