Junagadh Police Apprehend Controversial Social Media Figure Kirti Patel in Rajasthan
In a significant development, the Junagadh rural police on Sunday executed the arrest of controversial social media personality Kirti Patel from Udaipur in Rajasthan. This action follows a formal complaint registered against Patel and her associates at the Junagadh taluka police station on Saturday, February 21. The charges levied include serious allegations of harassment, attempted extortion, and criminal intimidation.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Deputy Superintendent of Police for the Junagadh Rural Division, Ravirajsinh Parmar, provided detailed insights into the operation. "Following the complaint, our team successfully traced Patel to Udaipur and effected her arrest," Parmar stated. "She was subsequently produced before a Junagadh court, which has granted a one-day police remand to facilitate further investigation into the matter."
Authorities revealed that Kirti Patel has an extensive criminal record, with as many as 14 offences registered against her across various locations in Gujarat. These prior cases encompass charges such as rioting, intimidation, and assault, highlighting a pattern of alleged unlawful behavior.
Objectives of the Police Remand
The police have outlined specific goals for the remand period. Investigators aim to:
- Trace the whereabouts of other accused individuals allegedly linked to Patel.
- Ascertain whether any extortion money was collected from the complainant.
- Identify individuals who may have provided shelter to Patel while she was absconding.
Furthermore, DSP Parmar confirmed that Patel will face additional arrests in connection with two other cases registered against her at the Bhavnath police station in Junagadh. Separate investigations will proceed independently in those matters. Notably, at least three police complaints have been lodged against Patel in Junagadh district over the past week alone.
Details of the Latest Complaint
The most recent complaint was filed by 27-year-old Abjal Sida, a Junagadh-based labourer and part-time YouTuber. Sida accused Patel of harassment, threats, and attempting to extort money from him. He alleged that Patel and her associates demanded a staggering sum of Rs 20 lakh and threatened to falsely implicate him in a criminal case, including a rape charge.
This extortion attempt reportedly occurred after Sida uploaded videos criticizing Patel's actions during a recent religious fair. The dispute originated following the Shivratri fair, where Sida and others alleged that Patel had participated in a sacred bath disguised as a monk, an act they considered disrespectful to Sanatan Dharma.
Escalation of Threats and Consequences
After Sida filed the formal complaint, Patel and her associates—identified as Divya Savlani, her boyfriend Jashpalsinh, Hanu Chavda, and Veeram Mevada—allegedly began a campaign of harassment. They reportedly contacted Sida via Instagram, using abusive language and demanding the removal of his critical videos. The situation escalated into explicit extortion attempts.
In a distressing turn of events, following the alleged threats, Sida consumed phenyl at his residence and later near the Jetpur railway bridge. A vigilant woman noticed him in distress and rushed him to Jetpur Government Hospital for urgent medical attention. Sida had also reportedly recorded a video of this act, underscoring the severe psychological impact of the threats.
The arrest of Kirti Patel marks a critical step in addressing these serious allegations, with police continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged criminal activities.
