Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Woman Lures Ayurvedic Doctor For Home Visit, Blackmails & Robs Him Of ₹78,000; 4 Booked

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a disturbing case of blackmail and extortion, a 50-year-old Ayurvedic doctor from Khultabad taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was allegedly lured to a residence under the pretense of providing medical treatment and then held hostage, blackmailed and robbed of Rs 78,000. The incident took place in Harsul on May 28 and has since led to a criminal case being registered against four members of the same family.

The prime accused has been identified as Shakuntala Sandu Lahane (40), along with her husband Sandu Lahane (47), their son-in-law Ganesh Bhalkar (28, resident of Chetna Nagar) and Bhalkar’s wife. According to a Lokmat Times report citing the police complaint filed by the doctor, Shakuntala had contacted him, claiming she suffered from a severe leg ailment and was unable to walk, requesting a home visit for Ayurvedic treatment.

The doctor arrived at their residence near Harsiddhi Mata Temple around 11:30 am. Upon entering a room to examine Shakuntala, she allegedly made inappropriate advances. Meanwhile, her husband, Sandu began recording the scene on his mobile phone and started shouting, creating a dramatic situation. The doctor tried to reason with them, but the couple threatened to release the video unless he paid Rs 5 lakh.

Doctor Held Hostage For Nearly 7 Hours

During this ordeal, Shakuntala's daughter and son-in-law arrived and joined in the extortion. They allegedly searched the doctor, seized Rs 78,000 cash from his pocket, money he was carrying for agricultural purchases and forced him to transfer an additional Rs 8,000 online. The doctor was held at their home and repeatedly threatened with the release of the video until 6 pm, a harrowing seven-hour ordeal.

Fearing further blackmail, the doctor reported the incident to Harsul Police. Following his complaint, Police Inspector Dr. Sunita Misal registered a case. Realising that the cops had been alerted, Shakuntala and her daughter absconded. However, police managed to arrest Sandu Lahane and Ganesh Bhalkar, who have been remanded to two days of police custody.

Sub-Inspector Ganesh Kedar, who is handling the investigation, stated that efforts are ongoing to trace the absconding accused and verify whether the family has trapped or extorted others using similar methods.

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