The legal troubles of two Chhattisgarh-based YouTubers, Sagar Sahu and Pushpraj Singh, have deepened after police registered a second First Information Report (FIR) against them on allegations of blackmail and extortion. The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that the duo demanded money to remove defamatory videos uploaded on social media.

The accused are already lodged in jail in connection with an earlier case linked to the circulation of an alleged fake Instagram chat purportedly involving former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

According to police, the latest FIR was registered at Purani Bhilai Police Station following a complaint by Neha Mishra, a resident of Umda village who has been operating a Customer Service Centre (CSC) for the past five years.

In her complaint, Mishra alleged that the two YouTubers had visited her centre under the pretext of getting an Aadhaar card photocopied. She claimed that during the visit, they recorded conversations and later edited the footage in a misleading manner before publishing it on social media.

The videos allegedly accused her of defrauding customers by using their thumb impressions to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Mishra has denied the allegations, claiming that the content was distorted and presented out of context.

The complainant further alleged that on June 3, the accused demanded ₹50,000 in exchange for deleting the videos. Fearing damage to her reputation, she claimed to have paid ₹35,000 from her personal savings. According to her statement, the videos were removed after the payment was made.

However, Mishra alleged that the matter did not end there. She claimed the accused later demanded an additional ₹2 lakh, threatening to upload fresh videos and continue defaming her if the money was not paid.

She further alleged that after she refused to meet the fresh demand, the accused uploaded more than three additional videos targeting her. The repeated circulation of the content, she said, severely affected her social reputation and made it difficult for her to continue operating her customer service centre.

Based on the complaint and preliminary verification, Purani Bhilai police registered a case against Sagar Sahu and Pushpraj Singh under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police officials said the investigation is currently underway and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected.

This is the second criminal case registered against the duo within a short span. Around nine days earlier, another FIR was filed over the circulation of a purported Instagram chat allegedly involving former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Saurabh Chandrakar, who has been identified by investigative agencies as a key accused in the Mahadev betting app case.

The viral screenshot claimed to show a message sent from an account bearing Bhupesh Baghel's name stating, "Send your number, want to talk." The screenshot was widely circulated on social media and featured in content published by the two YouTubers.

Following the controversy, Congress workers staged protests at Bhilai-3 Police Station, demanding action against those responsible for spreading what they described as fabricated content.

Bhupesh Baghel had categorically rejected the alleged chat as fake and accused unidentified persons of attempting to tarnish his public image. He had also announced that his legal team would initiate appropriate legal proceedings against those involved in creating and circulating the content.

With two FIRs now registered against the accused, police are examining both cases independently while continuing to gather documentary and digital evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

Rewa Collector Orders Suspension of Revenue Official Over Bribery Allegation

Officials crack down on corruption in land transfer, PM housing scheme cases

Rewa district administration has taken swift action against corrupt officials following complaints of extortion in government schemes. Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi suspended a revenue assistant on Wednesday for allegedly demanding bribes to process land inheritance transfers, while simultaneously issuing a show-cause notice to another official over separate corruption charges linked to the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme.

Tahasil Officer Held for Extortion

The suspended official, Prashant Tiwari, a Class-3 assistant posted at Semeriya tahasil, had allegedly stalled inheritance mutation cases for four applicants—Maan Singh, Kabil Singh, Umesh Singh, and Babli Singh—demanding payment to process their documents. The collector's office confirmed that Tiwari deliberately delayed the applications to extract bribes from the landowners seeking to transfer property rights through legal channels.

Collector Suryavanshi did not conduct an extended inquiry before taking action. Instead, based on preliminary examination of documents and complaint records, he issued suspension orders immediately, signalling zero tolerance for misconduct within the district administration.

Rapid Administrative Response

The decisive move reflects growing pressure on district authorities to curb corruption at the ground level. Officials familiar with the matter said the collector prioritized swift action over lengthy bureaucratic procedures, sending a strong message to revenue staff that misconduct would invite immediate consequences. As of Thursday, the suspended official had not filed any formal response or appeal against the suspension order.

Housing Scheme Bribery Case

In a parallel case, district authorities have turned their attention to allegations of extortion within the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme implementation. The collector issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Executive Officer of Gangev gram panchayat, directing the official to respond within three days.

The complaint was filed by Ramlakhan, a resident of Badokhar village under Sirmaur tahasil. According to his account, a gram rozgar sahayak—a village employment assistant—demanded Rs 20,000 as bribe to process his housing scheme survey. When Ramlakhan refused to pay, he was allegedly stripped of scheme benefits entirely.

Three-Day Response Deadline

The collector's directive to the CEO carries an implicit threat of action if the officer fails to provide satisfactory clarification. Officials said the three-day window allows for preliminary investigation before further steps are considered. The matter underscores systemic vulnerabilities in centrally sponsored schemes, where junior officials at the village level wield considerable discretion over beneficiary selection.

Ground-Level Corruption Pattern

These cases reflect a broader pattern of extortion at block and village administration levels, where officials exploit citizens' dependence on government services. Land mutations and housing scheme benefits are critical for vulnerable populations, making them easy targets for corrupt functionaries seeking quick money.

District authorities have faced mounting public complaints about such practices over recent months. The collector's intervention in both cases—suspension in one, notice in another—suggests a shift toward addressing corruption more seriously, though observers note that sustained monitoring and follow-up action will be necessary to prevent recurrence.

Next Steps Unclear

The administration has not yet announced whether the suspended official will face departmental inquiry or police action. Similarly, the outcome of the show-cause notice to Gangev's CEO remains uncertain. Officials indicated that depending on responses received, further measures could follow.

The Rewa administration's quick action comes amid broader state and national scrutiny of corruption within government schemes. The collector's office is expected to submit a compliance report to higher authorities detailing the cases and actions taken.