Pune Police Sub-Inspector, Damini Marshal Among Three Booked for Blackmailing Principal, Extorting Rs 7 Lakh
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 9th April 2026: A serious allegation of extortion and misuse of authority has surfaced against three police personnel in Pune, including a woman constable who had visited a school to conduct a ‘good touch, bad touch’ awareness session. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter, and a case has been registered against the accused officials.
According to police sources, the accused have been identified as constable Sonali Hinge, who is also a social media influencer, along with sub-inspector Ajit Bade and constable Sudam Tayde. The trio allegedly targeted a 55-year-old school principal and attempted to extort money by threatening to implicate him in a false case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Investigators said the incident began when Hinge visited the school as part of an awareness drive on child safety and ‘good touch, bad touch’. She is reportedly associated with the Damini Squad, which conducts such programmes in schools. During this visit, the accused allegedly hatched a plan to target the principal.
The three police personnel are accused of abusing their positions and threatening the principal with arrest and public defamation by falsely invoking provisions of the POCSO Act. They allegedly demanded money in exchange for settling the matter and avoiding legal action.
Fearing legal complications and damage to his reputation, the principal reportedly paid Rs 7 lakh to the accused. However, he later grew suspicious and approached senior police officials to lodge a complaint.
Following the complaint, a case has been registered by Bundgarden police station against the three personnel, and a departmental as well as criminal investigation has been initiated. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe, officials said.
