Surat/Ahmedabad: Controversial Social media creator Kirti Patel has been arrested by police after evading law enforcement for nearly 10 months. Patel was picked up from the Sarkhej area in Ahmedabad in a joint operation by Kapodra Police, Surat police, and Ahmedabad police.

Kirti, known for her provocative and controversial social media presence and history of online abuse, was wanted in a criminal case involving extortion, blackmail, and defamation. She had been absconding since June 2024, after a case was registered at Kapodra Police Station against her and six others for allegedly demanding a ransom of ₹2 crore from a builder, Vaju Katrodia, and conspiring to malign him on social media platforms.

According to police, the case revolves around a property dispute between Katrodia and another accused, Vijay Savani. Allegedly, Savani, along with Kirti Patel and other associates, attempted to extort money from Katrodia by defaming him online. Kirti and Savani reportedly uploaded defamatory reels and conducted live sessions on social media using Katrodia’s images, spreading baseless allegations, and hurling abuses. The complainant also reported receiving death threats.

In a shocking twist, the complainant revealed that he was lured to a farmhouse at Kosmadi Patiya under the pretext of a settlement meeting. There, he was allegedly drugged by the accused, including Kirti, and secretly filmed. These visuals were later used to blackmail him for ₹2 crore. When Katrodia refused to pay, Kirti and her associates threatened to release fabricated and sensitive photos allegedly involving his family members, aiming to falsely implicate him in serious charges.

While evading arrest, Kirti Patel employed various techniques to avoid police surveillance. She reportedly changed her location frequently across Gujarat, manipulated her phone’s IP address, kept switching it off and on, and changed SIM cards while using the same device. Despite being wanted, Kirti remained active on Instagram, which helped police eventually track her movements.

Following a tip-off and technical surveillance, Kirti was traced to the Sarkhej area. She was apprehended and later produced before the Surat District Court, which remanded her to judicial custody at Lajpore Jail.

Police officials noted that even during her arrest, Patel showed no signs of remorse. She laughed hysterically, allegedly mocked the officers, and asked that videos of her arrest be widely circulated. “Make my video viral across Gujarat,” she reportedly said while being taken into custody.

Kirti faces multiple charges including extortion, criminal conspiracy, assault, and land grabbing. Authorities have also reopened older complaints against her, including a case involving an attempted illegal acquisition of land from an elderly couple in Surat.

The police have issued a public appeal urging other potential victims to come forward. “If anyone else has been harassed or blackmailed by Kirti Patel or her associates, they should report to the nearest police station. We will ensure strict legal action,” said police official.

Further investigation is underway, and police have not ruled out the involvement of additional individuals in the extortion racket.