TV actress held for Rs 5.5 lakh extortion in Chennai

Chennai police arrested 28-year-old television actress Varshini Venkat for allegedly assaulting and extorting Rs 5.5 lakh from a stock trader under the guise of funding a short film. Venkat, along with accomplices, forced the victim to pay cash and bank transfers, later demanding an additional Rs 27 lakh.

Chennai: A 28-year-old television actress was arrested for assaulting her acquaintance, a stock trader, and extorting Rs 5.5 lakh from him under the pretext of funding a short film, police said here on Wednesday.

Actress Varshini Venkat, along with her friends, invited Tharun to invest money in a short film they were producing, but he refused.

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On August 22, when Tharun returned to his lodge in the early hours after going out, Venkat along with her friend Sanjay and two others, who were present, assaulted him and forced Tharun to hand over Rs 50,000 in cash.

Later, upon receiving extortion calls from Sanjay, Tharun transferred Rs 3 lakh to Venkat’s bank account and Rs 2 lakh to Sanjay’s bank account.

After paying a total of Rs 5.5 lakh, Sanjay continued to threaten him, demanding an additional Rs 27 lakh.

Based on a complaint lodged by Tharun, Guindy police registered a case and initiated an investigation.

Upon verifying the complainant’s bank records, it was confirmed that money had been transferred to Venkat’s bank account.

The police arrested the accused, Varshini Venkat (28), residing in Mylapore, on Tuesday and seized an iPhone.

After inquiry, the actress was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. Search is on for the actress’ friends involved in the crime.