Surat: A month after Surat police warned gym owners over rising cases of harassment, the Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested a 50-year-old gym trainer for allegedly trapping a married woman in a relationship and later attempting to extort money from her husband.The accused, Shabbir Trunkwala, allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh from the woman’s husband, threatening to make her private pictures viral. He is also accused of extorting Rs 50,000 from the complainant and issuing death threats. Pal police have booked him for extortion, criminal intimidation and threats, and launched an investigation.Deputy commissioner of police Rajdeep Nakum said police had earlier received complaints about some gym trainers luring women into relationships. “We had called gym owners and trainers for a meeting on March 9 and warned them against such activities. Despite that, this case came to light after a businessman approached us,” he said.According to police, the woman had joined a gym in the City Light area around seven years ago, where she met Trunkwala, who trained her. During this period, he allegedly lured her into a relationship despite being married with two children.Seven months ago, when the accused visited the woman’s residence in Pal, her husband confronted him and asked him to stay away. However, Trunkwala allegedly threatened to circulate her pictures unless he was paid Rs 5 lakh.In another incident two months ago near a school in Adajan, the accused allegedly threatened the complainant by placing a piece of broken glass on his throat and demanded money. Fearing for his life, the businessman paid Rs 50,000 and assured him of paying the remaining amount later.Following advice from family members, the complainant approached the SOG and filed a complaint. Police are now probing whether the accused targeted other women in a similar manner.
