Man Arrested for Posing as Woman to Blackmail Maharashtra MLA

A 26-year-old man from Kolhapur was arrested for allegedly posing as a woman to blackmail an MLA in Thane, Maharashtra. Mohan Jyotiba Pawar extorted money by sending obscene messages and photos. The police apprehended him using technical evidence, revealing no other woman was involved.

A 26-year-old man was apprehended by Thane city police for allegedly assuming a female identity to extort money from an MLA, authorities disclosed Monday.

Identified as Mohan Jyotiba Pawar, the suspect is charged under section 308(3) for extortion, along with IT Act provisions, confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Kadam.

Investigations tracking technical data culminated in Pawar's arrest in Kolhapur. Despite initial suspicions involving a woman, evidence pointed solely to Pawar who exploited a personal acquaintance with the victim MLA for his scheme.

(With inputs from agencies.)