Woman arrested for blackmailing senior seer; CCB probe on

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested a woman on charges of blackmail and extortion involving a senior seer of a reputed mutt in the state.

The accused, identified as Spoorthi, a native of Chikkamagaluru, allegedly extorted ₹4.5 lakh from the seer and later pressured him to pay an additional ₹1 crore by threatening defamation and dire consequences.

According to the police, the accused first contacted the seer around five months ago, introducing herself as a former student from Tiptur. Over time, she allegedly began making repeated monetary demands.

When the seer refused to comply, Spoorthi is said to have threatened to malign his reputation and issued life threats, exploiting the seer’s public stature.

Police sources said that when the seer visited Bengaluru, the accused managed to collect ₹4.5 lakh from him. However, the harassment did not stop there. Along with her associates, Spoorthi allegedly continued to pressure the seer, demanding ₹1 crore and repeatedly contacting him with threats.

Unable to bear the continued harassment and intimidation, the seer approached the CCB police and lodged a formal complaint. Acting on the complaint, the CCB registered a case, conducted an investigation, and arrested the accused woman. She has since been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

“This is a clear case of blackmail and extortion. The accused used threats of defamation to coerce the complainant into paying money. Further investigation is underway to identify if others were involved,” a senior police officer said.

The case has also brought back memories of a similar incident involving the same seer two years ago. At that time, a honeytrap attempt had allegedly been made, with the accused demanding ₹6 crore. The CCB police had then arrested three persons in connection with that case.

In the present matter, the seer has approached the court seeking protection. He has obtained a restraining order to prevent the circulation or broadcast of any photographs, videos, or content allegedly linked to him. Police are now probing whether the accused had any incriminating material and whether she was part of a larger blackmail racket targeting influential personalities.

The CCB has stated that the investigation will continue and further action will be taken based on the evidence collected.

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