Goa MLA extorted after Odisha residents ‘morphs his face into explicit video’

Police said they received a written complaint from a “sitting MLA” on Monday, following which the crime branch registered an FIR.

Goa police have lodged an FIR against the accused under IPC section 384 (extortion) and sections of the IT Act. (Wikimedia Commons/ Representational Photo)

The Goa police Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly extorting money from a serving Goa MLA after threatening to post a morphed video of the legislator on social media.

Police said they received a written complaint from a “sitting MLA” on Monday, following which the crime branch registered an FIR.

In a statement, the crime branch said the complainant told police that in December last year, the accused, a resident of Odisha, contacted the MLA on his phone via a video call and, without his knowledge, recorded a video.

According to the police, the accused then allegedly morphed the MLA’s face into a sexually explicit and obscene video and sent it on his phone to extort money from him. Police said the MLA was acquainted with the accused person.

“The complainant, under the above threat, transferred Rs 55,000 to the bank account of the accused person. The accused demanded Rs 5 crore from the complainant to extort more, failing which the accused threatened that he would share the morphed video on a social media platform, thereby ruining the complainant’s reputation,” the police said in a statement.

“The accused person has been arrested and is in police custody. The accused revealed that so far, he had extorted a total of Rs 5 lakh. Further investigation is underway,” said a police officer.

When contacted, the MLA, whom the police have not named, declined to comment on the development.

Story continues below this ad

Police have lodged an FIR against the accused under IPC section 384 (extortion) and sections of the IT Act.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram