Mangaluru: The couple was arrested on Friday, because honey trapped a fortune teller of Chikkamagaluru.
Bhavya, 30, from Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu, and her husband Kumar alias Raju, 35, from Arakalagud in Hassan, was arrested, following a complaint submitted by fortune tellers.
The couple made the fortune teller of visiting their rent in Palavinangady in Mangaluru for pujas and rituals, to solve family problems.
Then, the couple extorted Rs 49 lakh by squeezing fortune tellers, using images and videos where the fortune teller is displayed in a compromise position.
City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said that the couple was seeking the help of the fortune tellers to do pues, to solve problems in their homes.
“The couple fired videos and photos of astrologers in their flat in a compromise position, during his visit.
Then, they squeezed the fortune teller, threatening that video and photos would be distributed on social media.
On several occasions, the defendant threatened to kill the fortune teller, and extort the hospital 15 lakh and rs 34 lakh, through various bank transactions.
They used to threaten a complainant using the names of police officers and female organizations, “Commissioner said.
Mangaluru CCB Inspector Mahesh Prasad and his team took investigations and solved this case.
Bhavya’s accusation, a housewife, and Raju, a car driver, allegedly committed a similar crime in the past.
The case has been registered at the Rural Mangaluru Police Station, and an investigation to explore their past criminal background.
The CCB team has confiscated two gold rings worth RS 37,000, RS 31,000 Cash, and four cellphones from the defendant.
The police also suspected the involvement of others in crime, and investigations in this case were taken, he said.
The defendant led luxury life by using the money they got through laying a honey trap.
They have taken flat rent, by paying Rs 10 lakh, and after that spend almost 7 lakh Rs to buy various items needed for apartments, and also two wheels.
The court has sent Bhavya to a five-day police custody, for further investigation.