Tragic Toll of Sextortion: Gurudwara Cook’s Heartbreaking Suicide Unveils Online Extortion Nightmare

 

MUMBAI: A heart-wrenching incident has sent shockwaves through the community in Mumbai as the life of Mansingh Pawar, a 41-year-old cook at a local Gurudwara, took a tragic turn when he was found hanging in his room on the Gurudwara premises on August 9. What initially appeared as a mysterious and sad occurrence later unraveled into a harrowing tale of sextortion that marked the second such suicide this month, sparking concerns about how such cases are being handled.

Also Read: Cybercrime in Nagpur - Cyber Blackmailer Couple Arrested in Pune for Extorting Money

The Unfolding Tragedy On that fateful day in August, Mansingh Pawar's life came to a devastating end when he was discovered hanging in his room. Initially, the police registered an accidental death report (ADR) and began their inquiry into the incident. However, it was only recently that the true nature of the case began to emerge. Upon a thorough examination of Pawar's mobile phone, the police uncovered a series of distressing WhatsApp messages, which exposed a distressing pattern of sextortion.

Tulsabai, Pawar's wife, revealed that her husband had been subjected to relentless threats from a group of sextortion racketeers. They had even gone as far as posing as officers from the Delhi Police Cyber Cell, sharing identity cards through WhatsApp. These menacing messages, sent between August 7 and 9, demanded a sum of ₹56,000 from Pawar while threatening to publish a compromising video of him on YouTube.

Also Read: Kashmiri Brother-in-Law could not show Kamal, and pressure on Nagpur police failed

Legal Complexities While the heart-wrenching details of the sextortion case have now come to light, the police's response to the situation has raised questions. Currently, the police have filed a case against the unidentified culprits on charges of cheating and cyber fraud but have not included the charge of abetment to suicide.

Significantly, on October 9, yet another distressing incident unfolded when an employee of the Central Railways took his own life. In his note, he detailed how he had been blackmailed by a woman he had met on Facebook. This woman had recorded an embarrassing video of him and threatened to release it unless he paid a substantial sum. In this particular case, the police registered charges of abetment to suicide, extortion, and violation of privacy.

Tulsabai, the wife of Mansingh Pawar, is resolute in her quest for justice. Her husband's untimely demise, which she believes was a result of extortion, has left her with an unrelenting desire to see those responsible held accountable. However, her journey towards closure has been fraught with uncertainty. Despite being summoned to the police station to provide her statement, she is still in the dark about the existence of a formal First Information Report (FIR) in her husband's case.

Also Read: Pune Couple's Organized Cyber Blackmailing Scandal Uncovered

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Krishnakant Upadhyay, has been diligent in addressing the situation. He has made it clear that the direct link between the alleged sextortion and Pawar's tragic suicide has not yet been definitively established. He underscores the fact that the investigation is ongoing, and if a connection is established, relevant charges will be added to the case.

Mystery Shrouds Pawar's Tragic Demise

Tulsabai, residing in Badlapur, is struggling to come to terms with the shocking loss of her husband. The reasons behind his extreme step remain elusive, as he had never confided in her about the distress he was facing. To add to her distress, the police have refrained from sharing a copy of the FIR with her, explaining that the case was initiated based on information gleaned from Pawar's mobile phone.

The Mystery Deepens

Just a day before his tragic demise, Pawar urgently asked his wife to mortgage her gold ornaments and transfer the money into his account. She complied, transferring a significant sum, but was left perplexed by the sudden financial need. Pawar assured her that he would explain the reasons later, only to abruptly end the call, leaving her bewildered and anxious.

Also Read: Cyber blackmailing case: Shatrughan's bail plea rejected

Insights from Legal Experts

Legal experts have weighed in on the case, raising concerns about the charges filed so far. Y P Singh, a former IPS officer who is now a lawyer, has asserted that charges of extortion should have been included, given that it is evident that money was extorted from the victim. The potential addition of charges related to abetment of suicide hinges on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the nature of the crime.

As the investigation unfolds, the community remains burdened by the devastating loss of Mansingh Pawar and the troubling questions surrounding the handling of sextortion-related cases. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative need for a thorough examination of such incidents and a swift, resolute response to ensure justice for the victims. The pursuit of accountability continues, with the hope that clarity and justice will ultimately prevail.

Source: https://www.the420.in/tragic-toll-of-sextortion-gurudwara-cook-suicide/