A preschool teacher named Sridevi Rudagi from Bengaluru was arrested alongside others who are identified as Ganesh Kale and Sagar for demanding money from a student’s father through blackmail. A Western Bengaluru businessman became part of a manipulative relationship with Sridevi after he enrolled his daughter in Rudagi’s preschool in 2023.
How the Extortion Took Place?
Rudagi first crossed paths with businessman Rahul when he attended the preschool admission procedures. After meeting professionally at the preschool admission, Rahul began developing a romantic bond with Rudagi through phone calls and texts before their relationship turned romantic. The closeness between the couple developed into physical intimacy that caused Rudagi to start demanding money from Rahul. Rudagi demanded a payment of Rs 15 lakh from Rahul in January 2024. After Rahul delayed his payment she went to his house, which led to an extra Rs 50,000 indulging her control over him.
The situation escalated further when Rahul, faced with business losses, decided to move his family to Gujarat and required his daughter’s transfer certificate from the preschool. In early March 2024, when Rahul visited the school to request the certificate, he found himself cornered by Rudagi, Kale, and Sagar in the school office. The trio reportedly threatened to release private photos and videos unless he paid them Rs 20 lakh.
Victim Threatened with Public Exposure of Private Content by Accused Trio
Fearing the worst, Rahul agreed to make an initial payment of Rs 1.9 lakh, negotiating a reduction in the amount. However, the demands didn’t cease. On March 17, Rudagi contacted him again, demanding the remaining amount, which she broke down as Rs 5 lakh for a supposed former police officer, Rs 1 lakh each for Kale and Sagar, and Rs 8 lakh for herself.
Unable to tolerate the extortion any longer, Rahul turned to the police for help. Upon investigation, the police discovered that Rudagi had fabricated connections to a former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), which she used to intimidate Rahul. The authorities clarified that no police officer was involved in the case.
The Central Crime Branch arrested Rudagi, Kale, and Sagar, and they were sent to judicial custody. Investigations continue, with the police examining the extent of the extortion operation and any other potential accomplices involved in this criminal activity.
