UP woman creates fake Instagram profile to get husband arrested in Prayagraj

A woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj allegedly created a fake Instagram profile to lure her estranged husband and get him arrested in an assault case, police said on Wednesday.

According to officials, Soni Tripathi, who has been living separately from her husband for the past four years, sent him a friend request through the fake account. Her husband, Prabhudutt Tripathi, accepted the request and continued chatting with the profile, unaware that it was operated by his wife.

During the conversation, he allegedly agreed to meet the woman, believing her to be someone else. After multiple requests to meet at a hotel, Soni instead asked him to come to the Nagvasuki temple area under the Daraganj police station limits on May 2.

Prabhudutt arrived at the location with a friend, where Soni was present with her face covered. After interacting briefly, she revealed her identity. Police said the accused allegedly assaulted and threatened her before attempting to flee.

Family members who were nearby intervened, caught him, and alerted the police. He was subsequently taken into custody.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.