IIT graduate Mishra posed as ‘Sadhu’ to exploit, blackmail women in UP
Mathura : Police have arrested Abhishek Mishra, an IIT Roorkee mechanical engineering graduate who posed as sadhu ‘Adhikarta Narayan Das’, for alleged sexual exploitation and blackmail of women in Govardhan area.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the case came to light after a B.Sc Nursing student’s family complained that Mishra allegedly drugged the woman with “prasad” on May 15, sexually assaulted her while unconscious, then threatened to leak her photos and demanded Rs 5 lakh via video call.
The family filed the case on May 25 due to fear of social stigma. During the probe, police said Mishra lured educated women and students through online discourses and kirtans, secretly recorded objectionable videos, and used them to extort money. He allegedly used the proceeds to buy property and build an ashram in Radhakund.
Over a dozen objectionable photos/videos were recovered from his phone. Two young women and a boy were rescued from the premises. Investigators are probing possible links to more victims and a wider network.
The Mathura case adds to growing concern over increasing incidents of sexual violence across India. From exploitation under the guise of religion to cases involving students and young professionals, such crimes highlight vulnerabilities women continue to face. Rights groups and citizens have repeatedly called for faster investigations, stricter enforcement, and stronger deterrence, stressing that unless the cycle of abuse, blackmail and delayed justice is broken, the sense of safety for women and girls will remain under threat.
