Mumbai crime: Man booked for posting photos of 200 women with ‘price tags’

The Antop Hill police have booked a 22yearold man after seven women complained of their pictures being circulated on social media platforms for the past five years as call girls The women have claimed that their friend Shubham Gadlinge 22 a resident of Wadala is behind the act Police suspect that over 200 women have been victims The complainants told midday that Gadlinge had stolen their photos and videos from their respective social media accounts He created fake accounts on Instagram and Telegram on which he posted their photos terming them as prostitutesScreenshots of posts put up by the affected women who are his friends from college school or relativesThe alleged accused Gadlinge also sent their pictures to his followers privately assuring them of a sexual encounter in exchange for money the women said The complainants have demanded the strictest action against him The complainants in the case are between 1225 years of age and are his friends from college school society family friends or relatives The accused Gadlingle is a commerce graduate His parents were planning to send him to Canada for further studiesGirlsrsquo parents beat him upA few years ago the parents of complainants had beaten up Gadlinge after he was caught sending photos of women to random unknown people on social media Speaking to midday a minor from Wadala said ldquoA few days ago my friends informed me that my photos were viral on Instagram as a call girl I was shocked I knew about my friend Gadlingersquos deeds as he was earlier beaten up by many parents When I confronted him he denied it at first but later he confessed the same I immediately registered the FIR against him Later I found out about many of my friends who have been his victims He should be punished for his actsrdquoSpeaking with midday a victimrsquos parent said ldquoA few years ago we had beaten Gadlinge after he posted our daughterrsquos photograph on social media as a call girl His parents requested us not to file a police complaint But he did not stop His family claims he is suffering from depression Police should take strict action against himrdquoObscene comments on photographsAnother victim said ldquoGadlinge created fake accounts and groups on Instagram and Telegram and added hundreds of unknown people Later he asked his followers to choose any girlrsquos profile He took screenshots of all the posts and shared them with his followers The victims were unaware as they were mutual friends with himrdquoA victim requesting anonymity said ldquoWomen and girls who are following him must immediately unfollow The comments on our photos posted by Gadlinge are obscene and highly objectionable He should be behind barsrdquo A parent of a complainant said ldquoThe comments on our daughterrsquos photos are vulgar Many people have asked about their rates This is very hurtful for us All followers who have commented should also be bookedrdquoAccused suffering from depression FamilyThe police had registered the case against Gadlinge and had arrested him last week However he was released on bail a day after the arrestThe police officers have said that the accused Gadlinge have been disturbed after a failed relationship for the past three to four years He is undergoing treatment they saidSenior inspector Nasir Kulkarni said ldquoWe have arrested the accused Shubham Gadlinge for posting photographs of minors and women on social media We have recorded statements of twothree girls We suspect there are more than 150200 victims We did not get his sufficient police custody as he was released on bail last weekrdquo ldquoHis family told us that he was suffering from depression We are checking his medical documentsrdquo1225 yrsAge of victims who have filed the complaint