FROM HONEYTRAP TO SYSTEMIC FAILURE: WHEN FEAR, LAW AND MORALITY ALL LOST: INDIRA YADAV

FROM HONEYTRAP TO SYSTEMIC FAILURE: WHEN FEAR, LAW AND MORALITY ALL LOST: INDIRA YADAV

24-JAN-ENG 23

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------The case of Anshika Singh from Gorakhpur is not just a story of cyber fraud or a honeytrap; it raises questions about our laws, police system, and social behavior—all at once. This game of extortion, involving video calls, recordings, and threats of serious charges like rape and POCSO, is as shocking as it is shameful. Significantly, this trap ensnared not only ordinary citizens but also police officers at the level of Circle Officer and Sub-Inspector. The list of 165 victims is enough to show that this was not an isolated incident, but a long-running, well-planned operation.

The most serious concern is the misuse of the law. Laws like those against rape and under POCSO were created to provide security and justice to the most vulnerable victims in society. But when these very laws are used as weapons to intimidate and extort money, the fight for justice for genuine victims is weakened. Anshika is accused of extorting millions of rupees between 2021 and 2025 through lawsuits and settlements. This is a slap in the face of the justice system.

The role of the police in this episode is even more disturbing. When the guardians of the law themselves are blackmailed into giving away gold chains and money, how can the common man retain faith in the system? The fear of the uniform failed here because morality had already been compromised. The question is not how the police officers got trapped, but why they chose silence and "settlement" even after being caught.

The third aspect of the case is related to the culture of power and ostentation. Using photos with politicians and officers to project influence, and creating fear based on these "connections"—this is a new disease of the social media age. Filing a case against the landlord for installing CCTV cameras and attempting extortion even from jail shows how fearless this business of fear had become. Now that the accused is in police custody and the truth is unfolding layer by layer through the mobile phone data, it is crucial that the action taken is not incomplete or half-hearted. This case is not just about the crime of one woman, but about the entire system that allowed fear, greed, and moral weakness to flourish.

The conclusion is clear—in the digital age, vigilance is an individual responsibility, but protecting the credibility of law and order is the state's responsibility. If strict and transparent action is not taken against the misuse of the law and internal collusion, today's Anshika will return tomorrow under a different name. And then the damage will not be limited to just a few people, but will affect the entire society.