Kiss for ₹50k! Bengaluru teacher’s shocking romance-to-ransom racket exposed!

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested three individuals, including a teacher, for allegedly running a honeytrap and extortion racket in the city. The accused have been identified as Sridevi, who ran a preschool in Mahalaxmi Layout, and her accomplices Ganesh Kale and Sagar More. 

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The victim, Rakesh Vaishnav, had initially lent ₹2 lakh to Sridevi in 2023 to help run her preschool, with the agreement that it would be repaid in 2024. However, when he asked for the money back, Sridevi instead offered him a partnership in the school. Over time, the two developed a closer relationship, leading to a series of financial and emotional entanglements.

In January 2025, Sridevi allegedly demanded ₹50,000 from Rakesh in exchange for a kiss and later escalated the demand to ₹15 lakh. When Rakesh refused, he was lured into a trap at Sridevi’s preschool, where Ganesh and Sagar blackmailed him, accusing him of being involved with Sridevi despite her supposed engagement to Sagar. The gang initially demanded ₹1 crore but settled for ₹1.9 lakh.

Subsequent threats and blackmail led Rakesh to file a complaint with the CCB. Following an investigation, the three accused were arrested and taken into custody for further interrogation. The police urge the public to remain cautious against such extortion schemes.