Saharanpur — Haridwar police arrested actress Urmila Sanawar from her residence in the Sadar Bazar area of Saharanpur on Sunday following a criminal complaint lodged in Haridwar, PrashantNews reported.
Complaint alleges social‑media defamation, extortion and threats
The case arose after Deepika Rathore, a resident of Tehri Displaced Colony in Haridwar, filed a complaint at Ranipur police station on the night of October 24, according to media reports. The complaint, as reported, accused Sanawar of making "objectionable and defamatory remarks" on social media that harmed the reputation of the complainant and her family.
PrashantNews reported that the complaint further alleged demands for transfer of property linked with Ravidas Dham along with a monetary demand of ₹5 crore through WhatsApp calls, and threats to kill members of the family if the demands were not met.
Police action in Saharanpur
Following the complaint, a case was registered and a team was formed to investigate the allegations, the reports said. A police team led by Ranipur station house officer Manohar Singh Bhandari conducted a raid at Sanawar's Saharanpur home and made the arrest on Sunday. Officers also recovered a mobile phone that, according to media accounts, is alleged to have been used in connection with the matter.
- Complaint lodged at Ranipur police station on the night of October 24 (reported).
- Allegations include defamatory social‑media posts, demand for property transfer, demand of ₹5 crore, and threats to kill the family (reported).
- Arrest carried out by a Haridwar police team at Sanawar's residence in Sadar Bazar, Saharanpur; a mobile phone was recovered (reported).
Legal process and local implications
PrashantNews reported that further legal proceedings are under way. The complaint and arrest connect to matters beyond Saharanpur because the complainant is a Haridwar resident and the allegations involve property associated with Ravidas Dham, but the arrest and recovery of evidence occurred in Saharanpur, placing the city at the centre of initial police activity.
The case will proceed through the investigative and judicial processes established for allegations of defamation, extortion and criminal intimidation. At this stage, formal charges and any remand or court appearances depend on the outcome of Haridwar police enquiries and subsequent guidance from prosecutors, as reported.
"objectionable and defamatory remarks"
| Date | Reported event |
|---|---|
| October 24 | Complaint lodged at Ranipur police station, Haridwar (reported) |
| Sunday (date per report) | Arrest of Urmila Sanawar at her Sadar Bazar residence, Saharanpur; mobile phone recovered (reported) |
The reports link this arrest to public attention surrounding the actress's earlier prominence in media coverage of the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case. PrashantNews noted Sanawar had been in the spotlight over allegations connected to that matter, though the current action stems from the Haridwar complaint and separate allegations.
Local residents and businesses around Sadar Bazar said they noticed increased police activity during the raid. Police did not release a detailed charge sheet immediately, and PrashantNews reported that further legal steps are being taken by the Haridwar police team handling the investigation.
This development highlights cross‑district policing when alleged crimes involve parties from different towns: the complaint originated in Haridwar, while the arrest and initial evidence recovery were carried out in Saharanpur. Authorities in both districts will have to coordinate as the investigation proceeds, according to the media account.
Further updates on charges, custody status and any court proceedings are expected as Haridwar police continue their investigation, reported PrashantNews.
