A Pune sessions court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of police constable and social media influencer Sonali Gulabrao Hinge, accused in an alleged ₹7 lakh extortion case involving a lecturer from a city polytechnic college.
Hinge, attached to the Damini Squad of Pune police, is among the three accused named in a case registered at Bundgarden police station in April. Investigators allege the accused used a minor girl and temporary mobile numbers to threaten the lecturer with legal action, including proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and extort money from him.
Rejecting the plea, Additional Sessions Judge PY Ladekar held that custodial interrogation was necessary for a proper investigation, citing electronic evidence and other material collected by police.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, a lecturer at the polytechnic institute, alleged that he was coerced into paying ₹7 lakh after being threatened with criminal action. Police claimed that ₹1 lakh from the extorted amount was received by Hinge. The defence argued that Hinge was only performing her official duties after a minor girl approached her with allegations against the lecturer. It contended that she merely advised the girl to approach the police and escorted her to Bundgarden police station. The defence also cited her 12 years of service without criminal antecedents and argued that there was no direct evidence linking her to the alleged extortion.
The prosecution stated that electronic evidence remains to be examined and that custodial interrogation is required to trace the origin of documents allegedly used in the scheme and recover a laptop linked to the case. The court noted that material collected during the investigation, including photographs and electronic records, warranted further questioning of the accused. “The application is hereby rejected,” the court ordered.
{{/usCountry}}The prosecution stated that electronic evidence remains to be examined and that custodial interrogation is required to trace the origin of documents allegedly used in the scheme and recover a laptop linked to the case. The court noted that material collected during the investigation, including photographs and electronic records, warranted further questioning of the accused. “The application is hereby rejected,” the court ordered.
{{/usCountry}}Two co-accused have already been arrested, and the Bundgarden police are continuing their investigation.