India, June 7 -- A Pune sessions court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of police constable and social media influencer Sonali Gulabrao Hinge, accused in an alleged Rs.7 lakh extortion case involving a lecturer from a city polytechnic college.

Hinge, attached to the Damini Squad of Pune police, is among the three accused named in a case registered at Bundgarden police station in April. Investigators allege the accused used a minor girl and temporary mobile numbers to threaten the lecturer with legal action, including proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and extort money from him.

Rejecting the plea, Additional Sessions Judge PY Ladekar held that custodial interrogation was necessar...