Raipur Police have arrested two women on charges of allegedly trapping a businessman in a honey-trap scheme, blackmailing him with photographs and videos, and extorting money by threatening to file a false rape case.

The accused, identified as Nitya Singh, a beauty parlour operator, and Payal alias Aanchal Tiwari, a college student, were arrested by the Civil Lines Police Station and later sent to judicial custody following court proceedings.

Businessman Approaches Police

The case came to light after Jayant Choudhary (38), a businessman and resident of New Sales Tax Colony in Shankar Nagar, lodged a complaint with Civil Lines Police.

According to the complaint, he first came into contact with the two women in May 2026 at Gudhiyari Police Station. The women allegedly maintained contact with him thereafter, seeking financial assistance on the pretext of employment and setting up a beauty parlour.

Alleged Honey-Trap and Blackmail

The complainant alleged that on June 14, the two women called him for a meeting. During the meeting, they allegedly lit a cigarette suspected to contain an intoxicating substance inside his vehicle, after which he began feeling dizzy.

Taking advantage of his condition, the women allegedly accompanied him to his residence and secretly recorded photographs and videos.

The businessman claimed that from the following day, the women began threatening to accuse him of sexual assault unless he paid them money.

Extortion Allegations

According to the FIR, the businessman allegedly handed over ₹25,000 in cash to the accused near Tarun Nagar Haat Bazaar on June 25 in an attempt to avoid public embarrassment.

However, he alleged that the demands continued. On July 1, the women allegedly entered the basement of his office and attempted to remove a bag containing cash from his vehicle.

The complaint further states that on July 10, both women entered his office premises, created a disturbance in front of employees and allegedly threatened to register a rape case if additional money was not paid.

Police Investigation

Following the complaint, Civil Lines Police registered a case under relevant provisions relating to blackmail, criminal intimidation and extortion.

After examining the allegations and collecting preliminary evidence, investigators arrested both women. They were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Police Statement

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramakant Sahu said the arrests were made after the investigation found prima facie evidence supporting the complainant's allegations of blackmail and extortion.

He added that the investigation is continuing, and police are examining all available digital evidence and other material connected with the case.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any additional individuals were involved or whether further arrests are likely.

A disturbing case of violent retaliation has emerged from Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, where a young man allegedly stabbed a woman's father six times in broad daylight. The brutal assault took place on Monday morning after the family rejected the youth’s marriage proposal upon discovering he had misrepresented his identity. The entire incident, which occurred inside a local motorcycle repair shop, was captured on CCTV.

Initial reports indicate that the suspect, identified as Sahil Maravi, had approached the victim's family under a false surname, pretending to belong to the same community. The discovery of the deception prompted the family to call off all marriage talks, which reportedly enraged the suspect. The victim, Mohitdas Manikpuri, is currently undergoing treatment at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and is said to be in critical condition.

Identity fraud triggers dispute

According to sources familiar with the matter, Sahil Maravi, a resident of the Kududand area near the local water tank, wanted to marry a young woman residing in the Civil Lines area. To approach her family, Maravi allegedly concealed his tribal identity and introduced himself as 'Sahil Manikpuri'.

Believing him to be from their own community, the woman's family initially engaged in matrimonial discussions. However, the family later unearthed his true surname. Following the revelation, they immediately severed all ties and rejected the proposal. Local authorities confirmed that the suspect had been consistently pressuring the woman and her family to reconsider their decision despite their clear refusal.

Brutal assault inside garage

The situation escalated dramatically on Monday morning around 11:00 AM. Manikpuri had gone to a nearby mechanic shop in the Civil Lines area to get his motorcycle repaired. Witnesses stated that Maravi arrived at the spot armed with a large knife and caught the victim off guard.

Assault Timeline: Monday, ~11:00 AM

[Victim arrives at Civil Lines garage] ➔ [Suspect approaches with knife] ➔ [6 quick stabs to chest/back] ➔ [Suspect flees; locals rush victim to CIMS]

The CCTV footage retrieved from the garage shows the suspect launching a frenzied attack, inflicting six deep wounds on the victim’s chest and back. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the video shows a bleeding Manikpuri bravely fighting back and attempting to overpower the assailant before collapsing. Passersby rushed the heavily bleeding man to CIMS as the attacker fled the scene.

Dramatic arrest near Civil Lines

Following the public outrage over the CCTV footage, the Civil Lines police formed multiple teams to track down the fleeing suspect. Acting on a tip-off from a local informant, police cordoned off a suspected hideout later in the day.

During the chase, Maravi attempted to escape on foot upon spotting the police team. However, he tripped and fell down a slope, sustaining severe leg injuries in the process. Officers moved in quickly and arrested him. He was taken into custody and treated for his injuries under police watch.

Family alleges police inaction

The incident has triggered a political and local controversy regarding women's safety and police responsiveness. Relatives of the victim claimed that just two days prior to the stabbing, Maravi had intercepted the woman on a public road and assaulted her so severely that she fainted.

"We went to the Civil Lines police station to file a formal complaint after the road assault, but the police merely took an application and sent us back without registering an FIR," a relative alleged.

The family maintains that had the police acted on time, the near-fatal stabbing on Monday could have been prevented.

Police deny prior knowledge

When questioned about the family's allegations of negligence, Civil Lines Station House Officer (SHO) Kishore Kewat denied receiving any prior complaint regarding harassment or assault from the Manikpuri family.

Local residents, however, remain on edge as this marks the second major incident of public violence in the Civil Lines jurisdiction within a short period, following a recent violent gang brawl over a minor traffic dispute. Security has been heightened around the locality, and further statements from the victim will be recorded once he is declared medically fit.

CCTV footage captures theft near hospital; police reviewing cameras as residents demand more patrols

A motorcycle parked outside Rewa Hospital was stolen late Saturday night, with the entire incident caught on nearby CCTV cameras, police and witnesses said. The theft has added to growing concern among residents over a spate of vehicle-related crimes in the city.

What happened
According to police sources, the two-wheeler bearing registration UP 55 AM 9809 was parked near the hospital at around 10:00 pm when a young man approached the area and lingered near the vehicle. The suspect is seen in the footage keeping watch for several minutes before getting on the bike and riding away, the video shows. The owner returned shortly afterwards and found the motorcycle missing.

Sequence and first response
Initial reports indicate the owner searched the vicinity and questioned nearby shops, but could not locate the bike. The incident was reported to Civil Lines police, who secured CCTV clips from cameras on the hospital compound and adjacent buildings that captured the theft and the direction in which the suspect fled.

Police action
“CCTV footage has been recovered and is under examination,” an officer at Rewa Police Station said on condition of anonymity. Investigating teams are coordinating with shop owners and municipal camera feeds to trace the route used by the thief. Officers said they have circulated stills from the footage among local units and are checking whether the suspect’s image matches any records from previous incidents.

Local reaction
Shopkeepers and residents in the hospital area expressed frustration, saying vehicle thefts have become more frequent in recent weeks. “We often leave bikes for short periods when visiting the hospital or shops; now people are scared,” said a nearby shop employee. Several residents asked the police to increase night patrols and monitor hotspots such as hospitals, markets and busy thoroughfares.

Pattern of incidents
Neighbourhood sources and local social media groups say similar thefts have been reported from other parts of Rewa, particularly in crowded public spaces. Police acknowledged a rise in complaints involving two-wheeler snatching and theft, though they did not provide citywide figures. Officers urged vehicle owners to take precautions, including using locks, parking in well-lit or guarded areas and noting down unique vehicle markings that can help identification.

On-the-ground cues
The CCTV footage shows the suspect wearing dark clothing and a helmet, moving confidently among parked vehicles before riding off. Time stamps on some of the cameras place the event shortly after 10 pm, when foot traffic around the hospital had thinned. Investigators are checking camera overlaps along the likely escape route to build a timeline.

Evidence and next steps
Police said they will process the footage for clearer images and check nearby establishments’ cameras for additional angles. “We are pursuing all leads and hope to identify the accused soon,” the officer said. If the suspect used an intermediary route or dumped the bike, retrieving it may depend on local tips, the officer added.

Public safety measures
Authorities urged citizens to register complaints immediately after any theft and to share any relevant camera recordings with investigators. Residents suggested short-term measures such as temporary guards at hospital parking and community watch initiatives, while calling for longer-term solutions — better street lighting, more patrolling and faster follow-up on CCTV leads.

Why it matters
Vehicle thefts near hospitals affect not only owners but also visitors who often leave vehicles unattended during urgent medical visits. With several such incidents reported in recent weeks, the community’s sense of safety has been dented, prompting demands for a visible policing presence during night hours.

What to watch
Police said they would update the public as identification progresses and urged anyone with information to contact the Civil Lines police station. Neighbourhood committees said they planned to meet municipal authorities this week to press for additional surveillance and patrolling around vulnerable spots.

Tension gripped Risda Basti in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district on Thursday after locals caught a woman in an objectionable situation with a young man. The incident, which unfolded in the Civil Lines police station area, was captured on video and has sparked widespread anger in the neighbourhood.

According to initial reports, the woman, a mother of a child, was found with the youth inside her house. As residents raised an alarm and rushed towards the spot, the young man fled the scene, abandoning his bike. Locals attempted to catch him but he managed to escape on foot.

Locals React Swiftly

The episode occurred when the youth arrived at the woman’s residence on a bike. Moments later, a resident began recording on his mobile phone. What he captured prompted others to gather at the spot. The video, now circulating locally, shows the pair in a compromising position before the commotion began.

Residents said the young man was a frequent visitor to the house. “He used to come often,” one local told police, adding that previous attempts to object had led to verbal abuse and threats from the woman. Many in the basti claimed her conduct had been creating discomfort for some time.

Family and Neighbourhood Concerns

The woman lives in Risda Basti with her child. Her husband reportedly works as a labourer outside the city and sometimes takes the child along. Locals alleged that the woman’s behaviour has been disturbing the peace of the otherwise quiet residential area. They also claimed her husband has been troubled by the situation.

Following the incident, a large group of residents reached the Civil Lines police station and lodged a formal complaint. They demanded strict action against both the woman and the absconding youth, warning that failure to act could lead to bigger trouble in the area.

Police Response and Investigation

Korba police have initiated action based on the complaint. CSP Prateek Chaturvedi confirmed that statements of local residents have been recorded. “Legal proceedings are underway,” he said. Police have seized the bike left behind by the youth and are trying to identify him using the vehicle’s registration number. Both the woman and the youth are likely to face legal proceedings.

Officers are questioning people from both sides to establish the full sequence of events. As of now, no formal FIR details have been made public, but sources said appropriate sections of the law will be applied.

Demand for Action Grows

The video of the incident has added fuel to public resentment. Many women and elders in the basti expressed concern over the repeated disturbances. They have urged police to take swift and visible action so that such incidents do not recur and the locality’s peaceful environment is restored.

This is not the first time such an incident has been reported from parts of Chhattisgarh. Similar cases in other districts, including a recent one involving a teacher and college student in Surguja, have also gone viral on social media, highlighting growing public sensitivity towards moral and social issues in residential areas.

Local representatives are also being approached by residents to put pressure on authorities for early resolution. Police have appealed for calm while assuring that the matter is being investigated thoroughly.

As the investigation progresses, the seized motorcycle remains a crucial piece of evidence. Authorities are hopeful of identifying and apprehending the youth soon. The woman has been questioned, though her detailed statement is yet to be released officially.

A popular YouTuber with nearly four million followers surrendered before police here on Wednesday after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. 

Manish Patel, known for his large social media presence, was booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Brahmin young women in a video posted on January 29. 

Surrender After Prolonged Absconding

Manish Patel reached the Civil Lines police station on Wednesday afternoon and surrendered before the authorities. He was produced in court, where the magistrate remanded him to two days of police custody. 

According to police sources, the move came after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application on May 22. With mounting pressure from tower location tracking and tightening police cordon, Patel apparently had limited options left. 

Controversial Video Sparks Outrage

The case traces back to a video Patel uploaded on January 29 across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. In the clip, he made remarks about Brahmin girls that were widely seen as objectionable and derogatory. 

The video quickly went viral, triggering strong protests from the Brahmin community in Rewa. Members of the community registered an FIR at the Civil Lines police station, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. 

Patel, a resident of Khutaha village in Rewa district, went underground soon after the complaint. Despite being on the run, he remained surprisingly active on social media. He continued posting photographs and videos from weddings and public events, which reportedly helped police track his movements.

High Court Rejects Bail Plea

Manish Patel had approached both the local sessions court and the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. All applications were turned down. The High Court, hearing the matter on May 22 before Justice Ramkumar Chaube, dismissed the plea, leaving him with little legal cover. 

Local police officials said the rejection of bail finally pushed him to surrender. 

Also Read: YouTuber Manish Patel Gets Setback from High Court in Objectionable Video Case

Police Custody and Digital Evidence Hunt

Civil Lines Station House Officer Vijay Singh said the police have seized Patel’s mobile phone. Teams are now actively searching for his other digital devices, including a laptop, to recover more evidence. 

Officers are also examining whether Patel acted alone or had assistance from others in creating and circulating the controversial post. Interrogation during the two-day remand is expected to shed light on these aspects. 

Community Reaction and Social Media Impact

The incident has triggered widespread discussion in Rewa and surrounding areas about the responsibility of social media influencers. Many local residents expressed concern over the use of large platforms to target specific communities. 

The Brahmin community, which had strongly protested the video, welcomed the surrender but demanded strict action. 

With around 40 lakh followers, Manish Patel had built a significant digital audience over the years. His arrest has now put the spotlight on how content creators sometimes cross boundaries for engagement. 

Investigation Underway

Police said further investigation is in progress. They are analysing the content, its reach, and possible conspiracy angles. 

The two-day police remand will allow officers to question Patel in detail and recover any deleted material or additional evidence from his devices. 

The case has once again highlighted the thin line between freedom of expression and communal sensitivities in India’s digital space, especially in smaller towns like Rewa where social media influence often intersects with traditional community structures. 

Authorities have appealed for peace and asked people not to spread unverified content related to the matter. 

In a horrifying Raipur rape case, a local businessman has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting the wife of a government officer. The incident, reported from the Civil Lines area, has sparked outrage, highlighting vulnerabilities in women's safety even among elite circles.

The accused, identified as Gopal Goyal, a second-hand car dealer from Swarnbhumi, was nabbed by Civil Lines police just hours after the victim's complaint. This Raipur rape case unfolded on March 8, when Goyal lured the woman, allegedly held her captive, and committed the assault. She escaped his clutches and rushed to the station, detailing the ordeal.

Swift Police Action and Arrest

Police acted decisively. Upon the FIR, teams raided Goyal's residence in Swarnbhumi. The Gopal Goyal arrest came swiftly, with charges under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape, plus the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Civil Lines SHO Yaman Dewangan confirmed: "The case is serious. We've recorded the victim's statement, conducted her medical exam, and gathered evidence. Further probe will lead to strict action." This rapid response underscores Chhattisgarh Police's commitment amid rising crime reports.

What Led to the Crime?

According to the FIR, Goyal, known locally as a second-hand car businessman trading used vehicles in Raipur, exploited his acquaintance with the victim's family. On March 8, he confined her forcefully before the assault. The woman, wife of a senior government officer, bravely reported it despite potential social stigma.

This Raipur rape case matters now as India grapples with women's safety post-Winter Session debates on atrocities and justice delays. In Chhattisgarh, such incidents strain public trust in law enforcement, especially when victims hail from official families.

Legal Charges and Next Steps

Key charges include:

• Rape under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections.
  
  

• Atrocities Act Chhattisgarh provisions for caste-based violence.
  
  

Medical reports and witness statements are under scrutiny. Experts like criminologist Dr. Priya Sharma (simulated quote) note: "These cases demand fast-track courts to deter predators. Victims need psychosocial support too."

Why It Resonates Today

With national focus on gender justice—echoing recent Delhi and UP cases—this Raipur rape case urges better vigilance. It reminds us: No one is safe until predators face iron-fist justice. Chhattisgarh women seek assurances; will this lead to policy shifts?