Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Crime Unit of the CID, Crime Branch, Odisha, has arrested Biranchi Narayan Nath from Chhendipada, Angul District, for sexually and financially exploiting several middle-aged women seeking second marriages. Nath, who operated under multiple aliases and fake identities, targeted vulnerable women through a popular matrimonial website.
Nath created profiles on the site with the tagline “Second Marriage” and posed as a government official, claiming to work as a Railway employee, Income Tax Inspector, or officer in the Customs & Central Excise Department. He primarily targeted unmarried, separated, widowed, or divorced women. Using these false identities, he sent marriage requests, initiated phone conversations, and later visited the victims at their homes. He emotionally manipulated them by promising lifelong support for their children and companionship.
Many women, drawn in by his fake profiles, fell victim to his schemes. Nath performed marriage rituals in temples with several victims and cohabited with them at their homes, never taking any to his own residence. He secretly captured intimate moments with them, including nude photos and videos via video calls. Nath then used these materials to extort money, gold, and other valuables by threatening to release the compromising footage on social media if his demands were not met.
In the latest case registered by the Cyber Crime Unit, a widow from Cuttack became Nath’s victim. After losing her husband in a road accident in 2022, the woman, who was living with her two daughters, sought remarriage to secure her family’s future. In October 2023, she registered on the same matrimonial website where Nath had several fake profiles. She received a proposal from a man named “Pravakar Srivastav,” who claimed to be a Railway TTI in Visakhapatnam. Pravakar visited her home, expressing his desire to marry her, and emotionally manipulated her through frequent calls and video chats, during which he secretly recorded her.
Over the course of their deceitful relationship, Nath took her on trips outside Odisha, forcing her into a physical relationship by threatening to release her private videos. After living with her for five months and extracting Rs. 5 lakh and 32 grams of gold, the woman discovered his other fraudulent relationships and reported the matter to the authorities.
The Cyber Crime Unit has since uncovered Nath’s extensive criminal activities. He has been involved in similar cases across multiple states, including Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. Significant digital evidence, including private photos, videos, and fake IDs, has been recovered, and investigations are ongoing to identify more victims.
Nath is currently facing multiple charges under IPC sections 323, 384, 385, 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 469, and Sections 66(E), 67, and 67(A) of the IT Act. The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full scope of his operations and bring justice to his victims.
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