Man Posing As Journalist in North Kashmir Held for Extortion, Blackmail – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: Police have arrested a man for allegedly posing as a journalist and extorting money from government employees and citizens by threatening to publish defamatory content on social media in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

The accused, identified as Riyaz Ahmad Mugloo, was apprehended following multiple complaints of extortion, blackmail, and criminal intimidation. Officials said Mugloo had been using the title of a journalist to coerce individuals and public officials into paying money under threat of online defamation.

Police in a media statement, said that a written complaint from employees of the Municipal Council Baramulla revealed that the accused had already taken money from them and was demanding more, warning that he would post damaging content if they refused. Acting on the complaint, FIR No. 186/2025 was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Baramulla.

During investigation, officers recovered video evidence showing the accused accepting bribe money, along with digital devices and other incriminating material. The seized items are being scrutinized to determine the extent of his activities and whether he operated alone or with others.

Police also noted that Mugloo had earlier been named in another extortion complaint, in which he allegedly threatened to upload videos of a local citizen’s construction work to malign his reputation. That case, registered previously at the same police station, is already under investigation.

Authorities further said confirmed that the media outlet Mugloo had been linked with had terminated his services after verifying his alleged misconduct.

Police said both cases are being pursued vigorously to uncover the full scope of the accused’s criminal actions.