Odisha Excise ASI arrested for blackmailing woman with intimate photos

In a shocking incident, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Excise Department in Berhampur was arrested on Friday on charges of threatening to circulate intimate photographs of a young woman and allegedly blackmailing her.

The accused has been identified as Surendra Pradhan, who was earlier posted as an ASI in the Berhampur Excise Intelligence Wing. 

According to reports, Pradhan came into contact with the woman through social media, and the two subsequently developed a romantic relationship.

During the course of their relationship, the accused allegedly established physical relations with the woman and later threatened to make their private and intimate photographs viral. It is further alleged that he extorted Rs 40,000 from the victim by blackmailing her.

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Following the alleged harassment and threats, the woman lodged a complaint at the Cyber Police Station. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Surendra Pradhan, who was then posted on duty in the Athmallik area.

Pradhan was later produced before a court. Further investigation into the matter is underway.