In a shocking incident of cyber-facilitated crime, Punjab Police have apprehended a man and a woman for allegedly honey-trapping and robbing a businessman from Ropar. The accused, identified as Harjit Kaur from Himmatpura, Moga, and Ishav Bhardwaj from Jalandhar, were sent to five days of police remand by a district court following their arrests.
The Modus Operandi: A Tinder Trap
According to the police complaint, the victim, who operates a brick kiln in Ropar, first connected with the accused woman, Harjit Kaur, on the popular online dating application, Tinder. After conversing for several days, they arranged to meet near the Jubilee Walk Market in Mohali's Sector 70.
The duo had coffee together and later sat in the victim's car. In a crucial moment, when the businessman stepped out briefly, the woman allegedly mixed an intoxicant into his coffee. They then attempted to book a room at a hotel on Airport Road but, failing that, proceeded to Gill Lodge.
The Robbery and Investigation Breakthrough
At the lodge, the victim lost consciousness. The accused then fled with valuable items, including a 6.5-tola gold chain, a 5.5-tola gold kada, a 5-gram gold ring, and Rs 70,000 in cash. The woman, who had introduced herself as 'Aditi,' was later identified as Harjit Kaur through CCTV footage obtained from the lodge premises.
Acting swiftly on these leads, the Mataur police launched raids. Harjit Kaur was arrested from Rajpura while she was attempting to flee to Delhi by bus. Her accomplice, Ishav Bhardwaj, was apprehended from Shimla. The police revealed that Bhardwaj, originally from Kala Khedi in Kartarpur, runs an immigration office in Jalandhar's Urban Estate-2, where he had moved roughly seven months ago.
Criminal Past and Legal Proceedings
Investigations into the backgrounds of the accused have uncovered previous criminal involvements. Police sources stated that three cases are already registered against Harjit Kaur, while one case is pending against Ishav Bhardwaj. The early Sunday morning arrests culminated in the court granting the police a five-day remand for both individuals to facilitate further interrogation and recovery of the stolen property.
This case highlights the dangers of online interactions with strangers and serves as a cautionary tale. The Punjab Police's prompt action in nabbing the accused from different cities has prevented their escape and brought them before the law.
