Religious recital used as cover in Bhopal hostage robbery of IAS coach; ex-student among six held

WLid looked the likes of a subprogram business concern see turned into a tightly orchestrated extortion plot where noise, timing and familiarity were used as tools. A Delhi-based IAS coaching director was allegedly lured to Bhopal, confined in a rented flat and forced to transfer ₹1.89 crore, with the accused even organising a Sundarkand recital to mask her calls for help, as per police statements.How the crime unfoldedPolice said the plan hinged on trust and misdirection. Priyank Sharma, identified as the main conspirator and a former student associated with the academy, invited the director, Shubhra Ranjan, to the city on April 29 on the pretext of expanding operations and holding a seminar, reported news agency PTI. She was picked up from her hotel and taken to a flat in Bagsewaniya, which had allegedly been rented just a day earlier for the crime, stated a separate report by NDTV.ALSO READ | Jharkhand bank robbery cracked, interstate gang’s alleged kingpin held in VaranasiOnce inside, armed accomplices were already in place. The victim was threatened at gunpoint and coerced into transferring ₹1.89 crore into multiple bank accounts, police said. The accused used pistols and country-made firearms, and even staged intimidation tactics, including forcing the recording of a video to deter her from approaching authorities.Officers said the unusual element in the execution was the use of a religious gathering as acoustic cover. A Sundarkand recital was organised at the flat specifically to drown out any noise from inside, ensuring neighbours would not suspect anything, the PTI report noted.ALSO READ | 4 of family held hostage, robbed by new domestic help in Delhi’s Golf LinksThe accused allegedly drew associates from places like Datia and Rewa to carry out the operation, indicating that this was a premeditated plan. Sharma believed the victim had significant financial resources and thus planned the crime accordingly, the NDTV report stated.After the incident, the victim approached police on April 30, prompting immediate action. Authorities froze the recipient bank accounts to prevent the money from being withdrawn and began tracking the suspects using technical evidence.ALSO READ | ₹50-lakh extortion case">Goldy Brar’s father gets bail in ₹50-lakh extortion caseIn a dramatic turn, Sharma attempted to evade arrest by admitting himself to AIIMS Bhopal citing illness, but was apprehended from the hospital after doctors confirmed his condition was stable, police said. Officials added that his family created a commotion during the arrest.Police teams led by Commissioner Sanjay Kumar and Additional Commissioner Monica Shukla conducted multiple raids and arrested six accused, including Sharma, from different locations. The others have been identified as Rohit Malviya, Deepak Bhagat, Vikas alias Vicky Dahiya, Kunal Yadav and Pankaj Ahirwar, while one accused remains absconding and another person’s role is under investigation.Authorities said the weapon used in the crime, along with other materials, has been recovered, and efforts are underway to return the frozen funds to the victim.(With inputs from PTI)