6th arrest in case of man forced to suicide by digi arrest

Prayagraj: Pratapgarh police on Tuesday claimed to have made sixth arrest in the case of a 52-year-old man driven to suicide following financial fraud through digital arrest. On Tuesday, a team of Fatanpur police arrested a man identified as Rahul alias Nanha, resident of Sachendi (Kanpur), from Kaindha Gajja Purwa Road in Kanpur.
Police claimed to have arrested six, including a minor, booked under charges of abetment to suicide, impersonation, criminal conspiracy and others.
Police said Gyandas Gautam, 52, was safai karamchari in Panchayat Raj department, who committed suicide by hanging himself at his house on Jan 30. Following the incident, police arrested five of the accused from Kanpur and other areas.
According to FIR filed by Premdas, brother of Gyandas, unidentified individuals trapped the deceased using digital means, forcing him to make multiple payments. Investigations into bank transactions and call records revealed that Gyandas transferred money to several unknown accounts under duress. The cybercriminals, posing as Crime Branch officials from Lucknow police, made threatening calls, claiming they would implicate him in legal cases and send him to jail.
As his financial resources depleted, Gyandas resorted to pawning family jewellery and borrowing money to meet the extortion demands. The mounting psychological pressure and economic distress ultimately led him to end his life on Jan 30. He gave away several lakhs of rupees along with jewellery. Following his death, FIR under section 61 (2)/108/308 (5)/318 (4)/338/336 (3) and 340 (2) of BNS and 66 D of IT was registered at Fatanpur police station in Pratapgarh.
SP (Pratapgarh) Anil Kumar told TOI, "After FIR under appropriate sections lodged on Feb 7, a team of police led by SI Shailesh Yadav launched an operation based on surveillance data. Their investigation led them to a suspicious mobile number registered in the name of Rohit Prajapati, resident of Bhimsen, Kanpur Nagar. Acting swiftly, police tracked the location and conducted a raid near a playground on the Bhimsen-Rewari Road in Kanpur Nagar."
"During the operation, police recovered crucial evidence of the gang's fraudulent activities like flashing fake Crime Branch ID cards to intimidate victims. Multiple mobile phones and SIM cards were used to contact and threaten their targets. Bank transaction records showed digital payments extorted through PhonePe, Paytm, and other online platforms. Pawn receipts and bank slips proved that victims were forced to liquidate assets to meet the criminals' demands," said the officer. The gang members also duped over 100 others, but due to societal stigma, people didn't report the matter to police.