Prayagraj, Apr 2 The Allahabad High Court has directed police authorities to take strict action against gangs allegedly using women to honeytrap men and extort money.
A division bench comprising Justices J J Munir and Tarun Saxena, in an order passed on March 30, said such incidents reflect a "very pernicious state of affairs" in society.
The court issued the direction while hearing a writ petition filed by one Fojiya and others from Bijnor, who had sought quashing of an extortion case registered against them.
Refusing to entertain the plea, the bench observed that the matter was serious and warranted thorough investigation. Though the petitioners later withdrew their plea, the court proceeded to issue directions on its own motion.
"This is a very serious matter, it requires thorough investigation to be undertaken by the Inspector General of Police of the Meerut Zone," the court said.
The bench directed the IG to alert all district police chiefs in the zone to maintain strict vigilance against such gangs.
"If offences like these are permitted to continue, it would become difficult to live in a decent world," the court added.
According to the police case, the complainant alleged that he was blackmailed after being filmed during a sexual encounter with a woman at a hotel in Bijnor. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 8-10 lakh to settle the matter.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered.
The court also directed that its order be communicated to the Director General of Police, the IG of Meerut Zone and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Uttar Pradesh, for necessary action.
