Summary
- A 23-year-old man posing as a motivational speaker, social media influencer and spiritual guide has been arrested in Pune, India, over allegations of obtaining private images of a 22-year-old woman and later using them to harass and threaten her.
- According to Indian media reports, police launched an investigation after the woman filed a complaint against the accused, identified as Divya Jitendra Parmar.
- Police allege that the accused subsequently used the images to harass the woman and threatened to circulate them if she refused to establish a sexual relationship with him.
A 23-year-old man posing as a motivational speaker, social media influencer and spiritual guide has been arrested in Pune, India, over allegations of obtaining private images of a 22-year-old woman and later using them to harass and threaten her.
According to Indian media reports, police launched an investigation after the woman filed a complaint against the accused, identified as Divya Jitendra Parmar. Police subsequently arrested the suspect and seized a mobile phone and laptop believed to have been used in the alleged offence.
Investigators said the accused had built an online persona portraying himself as a trusted motivational speaker and spiritual figure. He allegedly contacted the woman through social media and gradually gained her confidence.
According to the complaint, the accused later told the woman that she needed to follow a particular method to remove what he described as negative energy from her body. Under this pretext, he allegedly persuaded her to share private images and follow certain physical exercises.
Police allege that the accused subsequently used the images to harass the woman and threatened to circulate them if she refused to establish a sexual relationship with him. The woman then approached police and lodged a complaint.
During the investigation, authorities reportedly seized the suspect’s mobile phone and laptop, along with photographs, videos, messages and other digital evidence. Police are examining the material to establish the full circumstances of the case.
Investigators are also looking into whether the accused may have targeted other women using a similar method. This aspect of the investigation could determine whether the alleged incident was isolated or part of a wider pattern of online manipulation.
The case has also highlighted the risks associated with individuals who use social media to build false identities and gain the trust of vulnerable people. Authorities have increasingly emphasized the importance of verifying online identities and reporting threats involving private images.
Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations will be subject to the legal process.
The case serves as another warning about the misuse of private digital content and the dangers of trusting unverified online personalities who claim to offer spiritual, motivational or personal guidance.
