Mumbai: Four Arrested for Allegedly Kidnapping Content Creator Over Anti-Betting App Campaign

Mumbai, 4th August 2026: Powai Police have arrested four persons from Mumbai and Pune for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting and threatening a social media content creator who had been actively campaigning against the promotion of an online betting application.

The accused have been identified as Pratik Shinde, Aniket Godse, Sameer Kuchekar and Yash Babare. According to police, Pratik Shinde and Aniket Godse are also content creators and social media influencers.

Police said the victim, Chetan Deolkar (28), had been consistently opposing the promotion of a Chinese online betting app on social media. Over the past few months, several content creators had allegedly been promoting the betting platform, while Deolkar had launched an online campaign urging people not to engage with such applications. He had also started posting reels highlighting the risks associated with betting apps and had reportedly received threats over his campaign.

According to the police investigation, on July 27, Deolkar was allegedly abducted in the Powai area by Pratik Shinde and Aniket Godse with the help of two associates. The accused allegedly forced him into a Scorpio SUV, assaulted him, and threatened him with a knife held to his neck. They allegedly coerced him into promising that he would stop speaking against the betting app.

Police further said that after the assault, the accused abandoned Deolkar in Kalamboli before fleeing the scene.

Following the victim’s complaint, Powai Police launched an investigation and traced the accused to Mumbai and Pune, leading to their arrest. Further investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved in the conspiracy and if the alleged offence is linked to the promotion of illegal online betting platforms.