Key accused in blackmail, sexual exploitation case arrested
LUCKNOW, Feb. 14 -- Days after serious allegations of sexual exploitation, blackmail and coercion by a woman, Gomti Nagar police on Friday arrested one of the key accused in the case involving a cafe owner Jamal alias Rahul allegedly running a wider network under the guise of legitimate business activity. The arrested accused was identified as Qamar Hayat Idrisi, 35.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team arrested Idrisi, a resident of Azad Nagar locality in Barabanki, was apprehended from beneath the Gwari bridge within Gomti Nagar police station jurisdiction.
According to police, an FIR was registered at Gomti Nagar police station on February 10 based on a complaint filed by the woman who had alleged that the accused concealed his identity, engaged in physical relations with her under false pretences and later threatened to circulate obscene videos to blackmail her.
The case was registered under Sections 75(2), 77, 351(2), 318(4) and 70(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against two accused Rahul (whose Aadhaar card bears the name MD Kamru Jamal) and Qamar Hayat Idrisi. The investigation is being conducted by sub-inspector Kamlesh Yadav.
Police said efforts were on to arrest the co-accused Jamal alias Rahul. In a related development, police sealed the cafe in Gomti Nagar allegedly operated by Jamal. Officers said hookahs and other prohibited items were recovered from the premises.
The FIR was registered following a complaint by a 28-year-old woman who accused the cafe owner of sexual harassment, cheating, criminal intimidation and coercion to join flesh trade activities. Police officials confirmed that charges related to human trafficking are also being examined as part of the investigation.
Inspector Brijesh Chandra Tiwari of Gomti Nagar police station said police are verifying whether other women employees were similarly coerced. Former staff members are being identified and contacted to determine if a larger organised network was functioning under the cover of spa centres and hospitality businesses....
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