In a bizarre turn of events in Uttar Pradesh, a woman has been accused of creating a fictitious social media persona to ensnare her estranged husband, ultimately leading to his arrest on charges of assault and intimidation.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the woman, identified as Soni Tripathi, had been residing at her parental home in Jagpura village, within the jurisdiction of the Nawabganj police station, for the past four years. She alleges that her husband drove her out of their home. Seeking to leverage the situation, she reportedly established an Instagram account under a false identity and extended a friend request to her husband, Prabhudutt Tripathi, a resident of Kalakankar in Pratapgarh district.
The husband, unaware of the true identity behind the profile, accepted the request and engaged in online conversations. During these interactions, he allegedly expressed his willingness to marry the person he was chatting with, believing it to be a new prospect. However, the fabricated persona was designed to lure him into a meeting under false pretences.
According to the police complaint, Prabhudutt had previously suggested meeting at a hotel on multiple occasions. The woman, however, insisted on a rendezvous at the Nagvasuki temple in the Daraganj police station area on May 2, 2026. This specific location was chosen to facilitate the alleged confrontation and subsequent actions.
On the designated date, Prabhudutt arrived at the temple accompanied by a friend. Soni Tripathi was already present, her face concealed by a scarf and spectacles. Her parents and brother were positioned at a distance, reportedly observing the unfolding events. As Prabhudutt approached and began interacting with the veiled woman, he failed to recognize his own wife.
The situation escalated when Soni removed her scarf and spectacles, revealing her identity to Prabhudutt. At this point, the accused allegedly assaulted her and issued threats of dire consequences, including death, before attempting to escape the scene. The immediate confrontation was followed by the intervention of Soni’s family members.
Her relatives apprehended Prabhudutt and promptly contacted the authorities by dialling the emergency number 112. He was subsequently taken into custody by the police from the Daraganj station. Authorities have registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include charges related to voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, indicating the legal ramifications of his alleged actions following the revelation.
The Chenab Times News Desk