A police sub-inspector, Ajit Bade, and a Damini squad marshal, Sonali Hinge, along with their associate Sudam Tayde, have been accused of extorting ₹7 lakh (approximately $8,500 USD) from a college principal in Pune, Maharashtra. The incident began in July 2025 when the principal was questioned about retaining a female student's documents. Bade allegedly threatened him with arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, claiming a minor girl accused him of threatening her with a firearm. Despite the principal's denial and suspicions regarding the authenticity of the accusation, he was pressured to pay the extortion amount to avoid reputational damage during the admission season. Following the payment, the situation escalated when the girl filed a complaint against the officers for cheating and not granting her admission as promised. Senior police officials have confirmed that the allegations indicate a misuse of authority and a coordinated extortion attempt, prompting an internal inquiry within the police department.