Dolly Kotak, a private bank employee in Mumbai, was arrested for filing a false rape complaint against her ex-partner, an IT professional, and extorting ₹1 crore as hush money. She, along with her brother and accomplices—including three private bank employees-illegally accessed the victim’s personal and financial data, leading to his arrest, prolonged harassment, and eventual job loss.
The victim approached the magistrate who ordered police to register an FIR under relevant laws. Kotak and five others are under investigation and facing multiple charges.
Demand for ₹1 Crore Extortion and Illegal Data Access
Dolly Kotak demanded ₹1 crore from her ex-partner’s sister in court, promising a no-objection certificate to clear his name if paid. When the family refused, she continued to harass them with frequent calls and threats, including a chilling message: “You will never win and die in pain. Give money or die in jail.”
She also appeared at the victim’s lawyer’s office reiterating the extortion demand. Kotak, with her brother Sagar and three bank employees (Harsh Srivastava and Anant Ruia from HDFC Bank, Jayesh Gaikwad from ICICI Bank), manipulated mobile numbers linked to the victim’s bank accounts and email. This allowed them to track his GPS location, view spending history, photos, and communications without authorization, intensifying the victim’s harassment.
Background and Police Action
The victim had been in a consensual relationship with Kotak since 2017. Following a breakup, Kotak filed a false rape case in 2023 leading to the victim’s arrest and month-long incarceration. The harassment escalated after bail, extending to his family and employer, who was sent defamatory emails resulting in his forced resignation.
After multiple ignored police complaints, the victim sought legal remedy from the Borivali magistrate, who mandated the Charkop police to initiate criminal proceedings under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the IT Act, and relevant IPC sections. Alongside Kotak, her brother, two bank employees, and a friend are being investigated, highlighting grave data privacy violations and extortion.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This disturbing case brings to light how legal processes and personal data can be weaponized to ruin lives through false accusations and extortion.
While safeguarding genuine victims of sexual crimes is paramount, this incident underscores the urgent need for robust mechanisms that prevent misuse of laws and protect individuals’ digital privacy.
Financial institutions, too, face critical scrutiny for their role in unauthorized access to sensitive data. The Logical Indian stands firm in advocating for justice that balances sensitivity with vigilance, fostering empathy and peaceful coexistence.
