A Jaisalmer resident was allegedly lured through the dating app Grindr, abducted at an isolated location near Baramsar, assaulted, and forced to transfer ₹1.42 lakh via UPI on 9 November 2026. Jaisalmer police arrested six suspects within just two hours of receiving the complaint — all reportedly residents of Uttar Pradesh. The case has exposed a pattern of coordinated crimes targeting individuals through dating applications in Rajasthan.

How the Crime Unfolded

According to police, the victim, Dalendra Bhatia, a resident of Jaisalmer, filed a complaint at Kotwali police station on 9 November. He alleged that he was contacted by the accused through the Grindr dating app, and was asked to share his location near Gita Ashram in Jaisalmer for an in-person meeting.

One of the accused arrived in a vehicle and picked him up. After travelling a short distance, other accomplices joined in. The group then allegedly drove him against his will towards the outskirts of the city near Baramsar, a secluded area outside Jaisalmer.

At the isolated spot, the accused allegedly assaulted Bhatia, seized his mobile phone and ATM card, and coerced him into transferring ₹1.42 lakh through UPI. The accused also reportedly recorded photographs and videos of him before abandoning him at the location and fleeing in a black Hyundai Creta.

Swift Police Action

District Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare took serious note of the complaint and directed the formation of multiple special police teams to track down the accused. Under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Suresh Sankhla and Circle Officer Roop Singh Inda, coordinated searches were launched across several locations in Jaisalmer.

All six suspects were apprehended within two hours of the complaint being lodged. The black Hyundai Creta allegedly used in the crime was also intercepted and seized from a market area in the city. Police have additionally initiated steps to freeze the UPI transactions through which the money was transferred.

Who Are the Accused

All six arrested individuals are reportedly residents of Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about whether they had specifically travelled to Rajasthan to execute this crime. A case has been registered at Kotwali police station in Jaisalmer, and the accused are currently under interrogation.

Investigators are examining the financial transactions involved and are looking into other aspects of the alleged kidnapping and extortion. Police are also probing whether the same group was involved in similar incidents targeting individuals through dating platforms.

Broader Concerns Over Dating App Safety

This incident is not an isolated case — crimes involving the misuse of dating apps to lure and rob victims have been reported in multiple Indian cities over recent years. The use of Grindr, an app primarily used by the LGBTQ+ community, as a tool in the alleged crime adds a layer of vulnerability for victims who may be less likely to come forward due to social stigma.

Notably, this comes amid growing calls from digital safety advocates for dating platforms to introduce stronger verification mechanisms and in-app safety features. As investigators continue their probe into whether the six arrested individuals have a wider criminal network, the case is likely to prompt fresh scrutiny of how dating apps are being exploited for organised crime in India.