Editor’s Note: For a quick summary of the modus operandi, read our 60-Second Explainer Thread here.
In September 2025, police in Bhopal uncovered a disturbing case that exposed how matrimonial platforms—often seen as spaces of second chances and trust—can be weaponised for prolonged sexual exploitation, financial fraud, and digital blackmail. At the centre of the case is Avinash Prajapati, a man arrested by Bagsewaniya police, and his wife Chandrika Prajapati, who remains absconding along with their child.
According to multiple verified media reports, the couple allegedly targeted divorced and widowed women through matrimonial websites, posing as respectable business operators and promising marriage—only to exploit victims emotionally, sexually, and financially over extended periods.
How the Alleged Matrimonial Scam Operated
Police investigations indicate that since at least 2023, Avinash Prajapati created fake matrimonial profiles, presenting himself as a successful steel factory owner from Chhattisgarh. To strengthen credibility, he allegedly introduced his wife Chandrika as his mother during early interactions, a move that reportedly helped disarm suspicion and accelerate trust.
Once emotional dependence was established, the accused allegedly moved victims into rented houses in Bhopal localities such as Bagsewaniya and Pragati Garden. These residences, investigators say, were taken using manipulated Aadhaar details, making traceability difficult.
What followed, according to FIR statements, was a pattern of rape on the false promise of marriage, repeated financial demands framed as business needs, and gradual extraction of large sums of money. Bhaskar English reports that the total amount cheated from two known victims alone is approximately ₹80–85 lakh, with individual losses estimated at ₹40–45 lakh each.
The Role of the Wife: Allegations of Filming and Blackmail
What elevates the case from fraud to organised sexual exploitation is the role allegedly played by Chandrika Prajapati. According to police and corroborated media reports, she is accused of secretly recording obscene videos of the victims without their consent. These recordings were then allegedly used to blackmail the women into continued compliance, both sexually and financially.
The Free Press Journal confirms that Chandrika is currently absconding, and that police believe she fled with the couple’s child shortly before Avinash’s arrest.
The Arrest and FIR Details
Based on a joint complaint filed by the victims, an FIR was registered at Bagsewaniya police station around September 2–3, 2025. Avinash Prajapati was subsequently arrested, while efforts continue to trace Chandrika.
Free Press Journal reports that the accused also allegedly operated a fake finance company named “Shri Dhanlakshmi Finance”, which was used to justify repeated monetary transfers from victims.
⚖️ The Legal Angle: Charges Explained
IPC Section 376 / BNS 69: Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means (Rape on false promise of marriage).
IPC Section 420 / BNS 318: Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (The financial fraud aspect).
IPC Section 384 / BNS 308: Punishment for Extortion (Blackmail via videos).
IT Act Section 66E: Violation of privacy (Capturing, publishing, or transmitting images of a private area of any person without consent).
A Pattern Across States: Not a First-Time Offender?
Investigators have further revealed that Avinash Prajapati may not be a first-time offender. Prior fraud cases have reportedly been registered against him in Jhansi, Chandigarh, and Sagar, involving scams such as fake investment apps, iron rod sales fraud, and dubious financial schemes.
What Has Not Been Verified
It is important to draw a clear line between confirmed facts and circulating embellishments. No credible reporting supports claims that the accused operated businesses such as Rudra Events, Rudra Entertainment, or music production ventures. There is also no verified evidence linking the accused to any godman, including Mirchi Baba (Swami Vairagyanand Giri), nor to political backing influencing arrests or releases.
Why This Case Matters Beyond Bhopal
This case highlights a structural vulnerability in how matrimonial platforms are used—particularly by divorced or widowed women seeking stability after trauma. The alleged exploitation did not rely on brute force alone, but on social engineering, emotional manipulation, and technological abuse, including covert filming.
🛡️ Digital Safety: Red Flags in Matrimonial Matches
- The “Mother” Trap: Be wary if family introductions happen only via calls or with a single relative who seems overly eager to please.
- Financial Urgency: Any request for money (business loss, medical emergency) within the first few months is a major red flag.
- Private Spaces Too Soon: Insistence on meeting in private rented accommodations rather than public spaces or family homes often signals predatory intent.
- Digital Privacy: Be extremely cautious of video calls or intimate moments if trust hasn’t been established offline over time.
Final Word
This is not merely a crime story—it is a warning. A reminder that digital trust can be manufactured, relationships can be staged, and consent can be coerced through deception. As investigations progress, the legal system will determine guilt. But the facts already established point to a deeply disturbing misuse of intimacy and identity.
[…] Want the full investigation details? Read the Deep Dive Report here. […]