Ahmedabad, June 19, 2025:
After avoiding capture for almost a year in a ₹2 crore extortion case, Kirti Patel, a social media influencer with over a million followers, was taken into custody by Ahmedabad's Kapodra police. Kirti Adalja, who was born in Bengaluru, is accused of honey trapping a builder in Surat and then extorting him for two crore rupees.
Police say the crime began on June 2 of last year when the builder complained that Kirti and her associates had enticed him to a farmhouse, drugged him, and took compromising photos before requesting the hefty amount. DCP Alok Kumar clarified: "On June 2, 2024, Kirti and six other people had honeytrapped a builder based in Surat.
She was constantly switching SIM cards, cell phones, and locations. We located her in the vicinity of Ahmedabad's Sarkhej police station and apprehended her from a residence. Kirti continued to be active on Instagram while she was on the run, regularly posting videos, going to public gatherings, and even threatening people, which caught the attention of the police.
Before focusing on an Ahmedabad address near the Sarkhej police station, authorities followed her movements and digital footprint across multiple cities. Kirti is being questioned by Kapodra police regarding the roles of her six suspected accomplices as part of their ongoing investigations. She has been named in at least ten prior FIRs throughout Gujarat for offenses like intimidation, threats, and online abuse, making her a repeat offender.
According to local reports, Kirti allegedly used a long running property dispute between the builder and another man, Vijay Savani, who is also accused of committing crimes, to further the extortion attempt. Police claim that by sharing disparaging content and making threats on social media, she exacerbated the conflict.
After turning herself in, Kirti was quickly taken to court on a warrant and placed under judicial custody. As the investigation continues, police confirmed that more FIRs are being prepared. They are also investigating if there were any other people involved in the planning and carrying out of the crime.
This well publicised arrest highlights the increasing convergence of criminal activity, online harassment, and social influence. "Social media platforms must not be used for harassment or extortion," said DCP Kumar. We'll go after everyone involved. Legal experts point out that the case might lead Indian authorities to reconsider how influencer activity is monitored, particularly in cases where private exchanges are used as a means of exploitation or a weapon.
The focus of the investigation is now turning to the courts, where Kirti will be charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as pertinent cybercrime statutes.
