Surat: A 40-year-old fruit vendor was allegedly lured into a gay relationship through a dating app, taken to an under-construction building and beaten up by three persons, who then extorted Rs 4,500 in cash and his mobile phone from him.The accused also allegedly transferred Rs 1,000 from the victim’s Google Pay account.Varachha police have registered an FIR and arrested two persons, while the third accused is a minor.According to the complaint, the victim had downloaded Polo Gay Dating app about one-and-a-half months ago and used it to chat with people. The main accused, Sushant Verma, allegedly contacted him through the app and lured him with a promise of a relationship.On June 28, after an initial conversation, Verma called the victim to meet near a school in Varachha. When the victim reached the spot, Verma allegedly took him to his unit, promising to pursue a relationship. He then took the victim to Orange Park and led him to the fifth floor of an under-construction building.Police said two persons who were already present there allegedly began assaulting the victim with kicks, punches and a fibre pipe. The three men then allegedly demanded money, threatening to assault him further if he refused.Fearing further violence, the victim handed over Rs 4,500 in cash. The accused also allegedly snatched his mobile phone, opened his Google Pay account and transferred Rs 1,000.After discussing the matter with his family members, the victim approached the police and lodged a complaint.Varachha police inspector A R Vala told TOI, “We have arrested Sushant Verma and Somraj Gameti in this case along with a third accused, who is a minor. Sushant had trapped the victim through the gay dating app. During the investigation, we found that the accused had allegedly trapped another person through the app and extorted Rs 30,000 from him. We are investigating further to ascertain whether any other persons are involved in the gang.”
