Who is Kirti Patel? Indian Instagram star arrested in Rs20m honey-trap extortion case

Social media influencer Kirti Patel, known for her glamorous posts and large following on Instagram, has been arrested in Ahmedabad after evading police for more than 10 months in connection with a Rs20 million extortion and honey-trap case.

The 33-year-old, also known by the alias Kirti Adalja, had been absconding since an FIR was registered against her in June 2024. The case involves an elaborate honey-trap scheme targeting a Surat-based builder.

According to police, Patel and her associates allegedly lured the builder to a farmhouse near Surat, supplied him with alcohol, and used an accomplice, identified as Manisha Goswami alias Janvi, to take compromising photographs of him. The group later used these images to demand Rs20 million from the victim.

An FIR in the case was registered on June 2, 2024, at the Kapodra police station in Surat. Despite multiple summons, Patel managed to evade arrest for months, frequently changing her location across Gujarat, switching SIM cards, and using multiple mobile phones to stay ahead of investigators, reports said.

Patel’s luck finally ran out on June 18, 2025, when a special team from Kapodra police tracked her down to a residence near Sarkhej police station in Ahmedabad. According to DCP Alok Kumar, the arrest was the result of meticulous technical surveillance, including phone tracking and assistance from Instagram’s technical team.

“Kirti Patel kept changing her location, using different mobile phones and SIM cards. She was constantly active on social media even while evading arrest,” officials said.

Patel’s arrest has brought her criminal past into renewed focus. Described by police as a “history-sheeter,” Patel has at least 10 FIRs registered against her. These include charges ranging from attempted murder to wildlife violations. In one notable incident, she was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act after posing with an owl in an Instagram post.

Despite her frequent run-ins with the law, Patel continued to build a persona online as a glamorous influencer, with over a million followers on Instagram. She has also been accused in the past of online harassment and threats against individuals.

The combination of her public influencer image and her involvement in a serious extortion racket has drawn significant public attention. The case highlights how digital platforms can sometimes mask serious real-world crimes.

Kirti Patel has been remanded to police custody, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are working to track down other accused linked to the case and to build a comprehensive charge sheet.

As police dig deeper into Patel’s activities, questions are also being raised about the role of social media platforms in curbing online abuse and tracing individuals involved in criminal activities.