Pune Police Book Gang for Demanding Ransom by Threatening Fake POCSO Case
Pune
Bharati Vidyapeeth Police in Pune registered a case after a gang allegedly demanded ransom by threatening to implicate a student under the POCSO Act.
Pune, December 10, 2025 – Police in Pune have booked a gang after a college student complained that he was threatened with being falsely implicated in a case under the POCSO Act unless he paid money. The case was registered at Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station after the accused allegedly called the student to meet them and then warned that serious child-related offences would be filed if he refused to pay the amount they demanded.
According to the complaint, the accused included two men and a woman. Police are also examining the role of an Instagram account that was reportedly used to communicate threats and coordinate the demand. The gang is suspected of targeting young people by using fear of severe legal action to extort money, a method that has alarmed students and parents in the area.
Investigators say the threat of a false POCSO case is particularly serious because the Act deals with grave offences and carries heavy penalties. For a young student, even a false accusation could create panic, stigma and long-term consequences. Police believe the gang relied on that fear to pressure the victim into paying ransom.
Officers are now looking into whether the same people have tried similar tactics with others. Statements will be recorded, and digital evidence such as chat messages, call records and transaction information may be examined. Police have asked anyone who might have received similar threats to come forward so investigators can assess whether more victims are involved.
Parents and educators have expressed concern about the rising number of scams that use legal threats and social media to isolate and intimidate young people. There is growing awareness that criminals are exploiting the fear of reputation damage and the complexity of legal provisions to extort money from students who may not know how to respond.
Experts say students should never meet unknown individuals alone, especially if called through social media. They urge young people to inform parents or authorities immediately if they face any kind of blackmail or threat. Awareness campaigns in colleges and schools could help prevent similar cases by teaching students how to recognize suspicious communication and report it early.
Police have underlined that misuse of child-protection laws for extortion is a serious crime and will be dealt with firmly. The case is expected to send a message that attempts to intimidate or blackmail students using legal threats will face strict action. Authorities believe that more vigilance and early reporting can help stop such gangs before they target more victims.
For now, the investigation continues, and the police are gathering evidence to build a strong case. The incident serves as a warning to students and parents in Pune that even casual online interactions can be misused for blackmail, and that prompt reporting is the best protection against such intimidation.
