Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: An Excise ASI was held in Odisha’s Berhampur on Friday for blackmailing a woman on Instagram.

The accused has been identified as Surendra Pradhan,Asst. Sub-inspector, Odisha Excise now posted at at Athamallik Excise Police Station in Angul district. 

According to the woman’s complaint, Pradhan while working with Excise Berhampur unit, befriended a young woman on Instagram and promised her marriage.Subsequently, he obtained intimate photos of the victim and repeatedly demanded money, extorting Rs. 40,000 through PhonePe. He also threatened her to make the intimate images viral.

The victim filed a complaint with Berhampur Cyber Police Station in this connection while a case was registered.

Based on digital evidence, Pradhan was apprehended today and remanded to judicial custody.