Self proclaimed 'messiah' of runaway couples Sanjoy Sachdev, who also runs the popular 'Love Commandos' NGO, has been arrested for allegedly confining, intimidating and extorting money from couples, police said Wednesday. The NGO helps in uniting couples whose parents oppose their relationship. Sachdev was arrested by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Tuesday night following a complaint by a woman who levelled allegations of extortion, confinement and intimidation against him.
The DCW subsequently approached the Paharganj police station where a case was registered.The police recorded the statement of the woman, her partner and three other couples living in the shelter home run by the organisation. "The couples alleged that their important documents were taken away and they were intimidated, harassed and abused by Sachdev. They also claimed the NGO owner would consume liquor in their presence and even leave his dog behind them," said a senior police officer.
The officer said the accused would force the couples to work and demanded money ranging from Rs 15,000 to 20,000 from them. The woman, who had approached the DCW, had been staying with her partner at the NGO for around a month, while the other complainants stayed there for a few days. The police also informed that the DCW sent such cases of couples facing opposition from their families to Love Commandos.
DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal, meanwhile, said the matter came to light after a team from the women's panel inspected a shelter home run by the NGO. "DCW team inspected a shelter home run by NGO Love Commandos and rescued four couples from there who were illegally confined in inhuman conditions. Also a huge sum of money was extorted from them. Police have now filed the FIR and arrested the owner," she posted on Twitter.