Man Arrested for Posing as Woman to Blackmail Maharashtra MLA

A 26-year-old man was apprehended by Thane city police for allegedly assuming a female identity to extort money from an MLA, authorities disclosed Monday.

Identified as Mohan Jyotiba Pawar, the suspect is charged under section 308(3) for extortion, along with IT Act provisions, confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Kadam.

Investigations tracking technical data culminated in Pawar's arrest in Kolhapur. Despite initial suspicions involving a woman, evidence pointed solely to Pawar who exploited a personal acquaintance with the victim MLA for his scheme.

(With inputs from agencies.)