Pune Woman Cheated Through Matrimony Site; Accused Held for Exploitation, Blackmail and Threats
Pune, 2nd September 2025: What began as a search for a life partner on a matrimony website turned into a nightmare for a 27-year-old Pune woman, after she was allegedly duped, exploited, and blackmailed by a man who posed as a prospective groom.
The accused, identified as Amit Gangadhar Shedge, a resident of Pargaon in Solapur district, has been booked for multiple charges, including rape, extortion, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
Police said the victim came into contact with Shedge in September 2024 through a matrimony platform. Gaining her trust by promising marriage, he allegedly invited her to meet at a hotel in Pune. There, he is accused of forcing physical relations and secretly recording intimate photos and videos.
The nightmare did not end there. Shedge allegedly used the recordings as a weapon of blackmail, threatening to leak them on social media and circulate them among the woman’s relatives. Terrified, the victim claims she was forced to pay him ₹2 lakh.
When she pressed him on marriage, he allegedly refused, adding another layer of psychological pressure. According to the complaint, Shedge threatened that he would commit suicide and leave a note blaming her and her family if she persisted.
The woman finally gathered courage and approached the Kharadi Police Station, where she filed a formal complaint. Following this, Shedge was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape, cheating, extortion, and criminal intimidation.
Officials said further investigation is in progress to determine the full extent of the blackmail and whether there are other victims.
The case underscores the risks of online matrimonial fraud, where perpetrators exploit trust and emotional vulnerability for personal gain.
