Paytm data theft case: After 45 days of arrest, Police files chargesheet against Sonia Dhawan & 3 others

After 45 days of arrest, Noida Police have finally filed a chargesheet against Sonia Dhawan her husband Rupak Jain and two others--Devendra Kumar and Rohit Chomwal--who were involved in alleged Paytm data theft and extortion case.

The move comes after Dhawan's bail plea originally scheduled on December 4 in Surajpur District Court got a week extension. The court found lack of documents and set December 11 for the first hearing on her bail.

According to Manoj Kumar Pant, station house officer, Sector 20, Noida, the police had completed their investigations and had filed a chargesheet on December 6 against the four accused and it has been submitted to the Court.

All four accused are charged under IPC 381, 384, 386, 420, 120B and IT act 66 in the FIR and the same has been mentioned in the chargesheet.

While Jain's bail plea got rejected and he is under judicial custody along with Dhawan and Kumar, the fourth accused Chomwal had got protection from arrest from the Allahabad High Court.

Chomwal's stay order on arrest also raised questions over police investigation as well as the Noida-based payments firm since his arrest was crucial to solve the mystery behind one -and-a-half-month long case.

Surprisingly, Chomwal claimed that he actually helped police and Vijay Shekhar Sharma to identify the real accused. According to his statement to police, he is running an NGO in Kolkata and got contacted by Kumar who wanted him to become a partner for making a huge sum from Paytm founder.

In a statement to the media, police maintained its earlier version on the nature of stolen data and avoided to speak further as the matter is sub judice.

Meanwhile, Noida police also claimed to have recorded their confessional statements under Section 161 (CrPC) admitting to their guilt. Additionally, the extortion call by Chomwal to Ajay Shekhar Sharm(Vijay's brother) over WhatsApp will also help police to solve the case.

On the other hand, Dhawan lawyer has been defending Dhawan and said that she was framed by the company and was under pressure to sell her valuable ESOPs.

December 11 hearing will be crucial for Paytm and all accused as it may reveal the actual facts behind the extortion and data theft case.