Surat: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Surat Police has arrested a gym trainer, Shabbir Azgar Trunkwala, for allegedly stalking a married woman and extorting money from her husband through blackmail.

The harassment reportedly began seven years ago when the woman joined the Puja L1 Gym in the Citylight area, where the accused was employed as a trainer. Trunkwala allegedly developed an acquaintance with her and later began stalking her, frequently loitering near her residence on his motorcycle.

The situation escalated about seven months ago when the accused allegedly threatened the woman’s husband, claiming to possess private photos and videos of the woman from past trips. He reportedly demanded ₹5 lakh, threatening to leak the material to the media if the money was not paid.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeep Singh Nakum described a violent incident that occurred approximately two-and-a-half months ago near Bhulka Bhavan School. “The accused intercepted the husband, smashed a mirror on his motorcycle, and held a sharp glass shard to his throat. He threatened him over non-payment and forcibly extorted ₹50,000 on the spot,” Nakum said.

Police Crackdown and Awareness

The victim eventually came forward after seeing a social media awareness campaign and reports of a meeting conducted by the SOG on March 9, 2026, where gym trainers were cautioned about maintaining professional boundaries. Following this, a formal complaint was registered at the Pal Police Station.

The accused has been arrested, and police said he faces charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

DCP’s Warning to Gym Professionals

Nakum issued a stern warning to the fitness community, emphasizing that trainers must maintain a strictly professional, teacher-like role.

• Code of Conduct: Trainers must not form personal relationships or engage in private communication with clients beyond professional requirements.
• Call to Action: Women facing similar harassment are urged to immediately approach the local police, SOG, or any police unit for assistance.

DeshGujarat