Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh – In a major breakthrough, Kanpur Police has exposed a massive extortion and land grabbing racket operating under the garb of serious sexual offence cases. In an operation codenamed Operation Mahakal, police arrested Advocate Akhilesh Dubey and his associate Lavi Mishra for allegedly orchestrating a network that filed false rape and POCSO cases against wealthy individuals to extort money and seize property.
According to police sources, Operation Mahakal was launched after multiple complaints and a high level investigation revealed the deep nexus between the accused, certain police officials, and politically connected individuals. The syndicate allegedly targeted affluent businessmen and landowners, hiring women to file fabricated sexual assault cases against them.
BJP Leader’s Complaint Triggered the Crackdown
The breakthrough in Operation Mahakal came after BJP leader Ravi Satija lodged a complaint, alleging that Advocate Akhilesh Dubey had extorted ₹50 lakh from him by getting a false POCSO case registered in his name. Satija’s case brought to light the scale of the operation and the influence enjoyed by Dubey in local political and police circles.
Satija claimed that Dubey, known locally as a “Bahubali,” had long evaded action due to his connections in law enforcement and politics. The alleged modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets, coercing women into lodging fabricated complaints, and then demanding huge sums of money to withdraw the cases.
Court and CM Intervention Led to SIT Formation
Following Satija’s complaint, the matter reached the courts and drew the attention of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. This led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the alleged misuse of rape and POCSO provisions in the city.
The SIT examined 54 such sexual offence cases registered over the years. The investigation revealed that in at least 8 cases, Advocate Akhilesh Dubey played a direct role in getting the complaints filed. Disturbingly, all the women complainants in these cases are now untraceable, raising serious concerns about their involvement in the extortion network.
Modus Operandi of the Syndicate
Investigators in Operation Mahakal have pieced together a pattern of the criminal operation:
1. Target Identification: The accused allegedly targeted wealthy individuals, businessmen, and landowners.
2. Case Registration: Women, reportedly hired or coerced, would lodge rape or POCSO cases.
3. Extortion Demands: The accused would then demand large sums often in crores to “settle” the matter or prevent arrest.
4. Property Grab: In some cases, the accused allegedly forced victims to transfer land or property as part of the settlement.
This criminal scheme not only defrauded individuals but also undermined the seriousness of genuine sexual offence cases, eroding public trust in the justice system.
Impact on Law and Order
The revelations from Operation Mahakal have sent shockwaves across Uttar Pradesh’s legal and political circles. Women’s rights activists and legal experts have expressed concern that such fabricated cases could weaken the credibility of real victims seeking justice under rape and POCSO laws.
“This is a clear case of misuse of laws meant to protect women and minors,” said a senior legal analyst. “It’s imperative that swift and strict punishment is given, both to deter such crimes and to restore faith in the system.”
Police Vows Stern Action
Kanpur Police officials have assured that Operation Mahakal will continue until the entire network is dismantled. Several more individuals, including possible police collaborators, are under investigation. Authorities have also hinted at possible action under the Gangsters Act and Prevention of Corruption Act.
Public Reaction and Political Ramifications
The exposure of this racket has sparked public outrage, with citizens demanding stricter measures to prevent the misuse of sexual offence laws. Politically, the arrest of a lawyer with strong alleged links in law enforcement and politics has become a hot topic in Kanpur, raising questions about accountability.
As Operation Mahakal unfolds, more shocking revelations are expected. The case has highlighted the urgent need for reforms to prevent the exploitation of laws designed to protect the vulnerable while ensuring swift justice for genuine victims.
