A Faridabad court has denied bail to Mukesh Kumar, the alleged mastermind of a honey trap racket accused of extorting ₹33 lakh from a businessman. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Faridabad, presided over by Judge Jyoti Lamba, rejected Mukesh Kumar's bail plea, emphasizing that he appeared to be the "master mind of the Honey-Trap Gang(s), indulged in falsely implicating rich men in rape cases". The court stated that granting bail at this stage would undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Mukesh Kumar's legal counsel argued that he had been in custody since July 2, 2025, and that no money had been directly recovered from him. They also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and claimed that Mukesh Kumar was falsely implicated because he ran a spa and did not know the prosecutrix. However, the prosecution countered these arguments, highlighting that Mukesh Kumar's anticipatory bail had been previously rejected by both the Sessions Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They asserted the need to firmly curb such honey-trap crimes.

The court's records indicated that Mukesh Kumar and other individuals involved had known each other for seven to eight years, had multiple FIRs against them, and were linked to similar offenses of rape and extortion in the past. Based on this information, Judge Lamba concluded that there was prima facie evidence of Mukesh Kumar's deep involvement in the conspiracy and that he displayed a "criminal bent of mind" and was "habitual of committing such like offences". The court further reasoned that releasing Mukesh Kumar on bail could endanger witnesses, lead to a repetition of the crime, or even result in him absconding.

Consequently, the Faridabad Court dismissed the bail application, deeming the allegations too serious to disregard. The order underscored the importance of balancing the rights of the accused with the need to protect society from repeat offenders and organized extortion rackets.

Honey trap cases involve individuals who use deceitful tactics to establish compromising relationships with their targets, often for financial gain or other forms of exploitation. These schemes can have severe consequences for victims, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and emotional distress. Law enforcement agencies have been actively working to combat honey trap rackets, as evidenced by the arrest of individuals involved in similar cases.

In a separate case, the Orissa High Court granted conditional bail to Archana Nag, who was also accused of being a mastermind in a honey trap and blackmailing racket. The court directed Archana Nag to cooperate with the investigation and not to leave the state.

These cases highlight the complexities and challenges involved in prosecuting honey trap offenses, as well as the importance of raising awareness about such schemes to protect potential victims. The denial of bail to Mukesh Kumar in the ₹33 lakh extortion case sends a strong message that the courts are taking these crimes seriously and are committed to holding perpetrators accountable.