In a shocking incident exposing the dark underbelly of social media influencers, a content creator was allegedly kidnapped, brutally assaulted, and threatened at knifepoint for posting ‘roast’ reels against illegal betting apps.
Demonstrating swift action, the Powai Police cracked the case within 24 hours of receiving the complaint, arresting four accused, including the mastermind.
The Arrested Suspects identified as, Yash Randhir Babre (Vikhroli, Mumbai), Pratik Ram Shinde (Indapur, Pune), Aniket Ram Godse (Phaltan, Satara), Samir Sunil Kupadekar alias S. K. (Chikhali, Pune).
Anti-Betting Campaign Triggers Revenge
The victim, Chetan Chandrakant Deolekar, works as a freelancer and creates social media content. Chetan had noticed several popular Instagram influencers promoting illicit Chinese betting applications, encouraging young followers to download them.
To counter this, Chetan posted awareness videos and “roast” reels calling out influencers who endorsed these apps—one of whom was Pratik Shinde.
“Enraged by the call-out videos, an associate named Aniket had called Chetan five to six months ago to threaten him. Unfazed, Chetan continued his crusade against fraudulent betting platforms,” told senior police offer.
The Abduction & Assault
He added, “the hostility culminated on July 26, around 7:30 PM, near Panchkutir in Powai. One of the suspect Yash Babre approached Chetan under the guise of friendly conversation and lured him toward a black Scorpio parked nearby. Chetan was forcibly grabbed by the neck and shoved into the space between the front and rear seats. An accomplice covered Chetan’s mouth, held a foot to his neck, and brandished a knife, threatening to stab him in the stomach. Meanwhile, Samir Kupadekar (S.K.) and two others battered him with wooden sticks, kicks, and punches while hurling abuses. The attackers even recorded the assault on their mobile phones.”
During the attack, Chetan noticed Pratik Shinde sitting in the co-driver seat while Aniket was behind the wheel. The attackers aggressively demanded to know why he was making anti-betting videos. After terrorizing him for hours and pressuring a promise that he would stop making roast videos, the assailants dumped a battered Chetan near Kalamboli around 11:30 PM.
Swift Police Action
Overcome with fear, Chetan initially sought medical treatment before mustering the courage to lodge a formal complaint at the Powai Police Station on August 2.
Taking immediate cognizance of the serious offense, Powai Police launched a swift operation. They first tracked down and apprehended Yash Babre from Vikhroli. Based on Babre’s confession regarding his accomplices’ whereabouts, a police team raided a location in the Indapur region of Pune district, detaining Pratik Shinde, Aniket Godse, and Samir Kupadekar.
All four arrested accused were produced in court and have been remanded to police custody for 7 days. Further investigation is underway,” confirmed Senior Police Inspector Atmaram Sawant of Powai Police Station.
The crackdown was executed under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Dattatray Nalawade and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dadasaheb Ghutukde (Sakinaka Division). Under the leadership of Senior PI Atmaram Sawant, team of Police Inspector (Crime) Sushant Bandgar, Police Inspector Sandeep Chavan, API Mane, and Detection staff crack the case.
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