Bhubaneswar, Feb 11: In a significant breakthrough following nearly two years of sustained investigation, Puri Police have arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a police officer and blackmailing women across multiple districts of Odisha.
The accused has been identified as Manas Ranjan Jena (45), a resident of Mundanani village under Baliapal Police Station limits in Balasore district.
Police said Jena, an engineering graduate, allegedly used his technical knowledge and digital tools to target women, threaten them, and extort money. Investigators believe he operated using multiple phone numbers and online payment channels to avoid detection.
The case surfaced after a woman lodged a complaint on September 14, 2023. She reported that on September 5, around 9 pm, she received a call from an unknown number. The caller allegedly introduced himself as a Puri Police Inspector and threatened to circulate her objectionable video on social media if she failed to pay Rs 2.70 lakh.
Fearing social humiliation, the victim complied partially and transferred money. Acting on the complaint, police launched a detailed probe, analysed digital evidence, and tracked the accused, leading to his arrest and further investigation.
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