Belagavi Woman's FIR Registered Following Police Commissioner's Directives in Serious Exploitation Case
In a significant development in Belagavi, the Shahapur police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint from a 25-year-old woman, alleging severe crimes including sexual exploitation, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The action was taken under the directives of City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase, highlighting the need for higher-level intervention to address the case.
Delayed FIR and Police Inaction Allegations
The FIR was filed only after the complainant approached Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase, claiming that the Shahapur police had earlier refused to act on her complaint submitted on March 29. This delay raises serious questions about police responsiveness and accountability in handling sensitive cases.
Following the commissioner's intervention, a case has been booked against six individuals, including the prime accused, 32-year-old Ishwarsingh Badagujar, his mother, and four others. The allegations point to a prolonged pattern of criminal behavior spanning several years.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
According to the FIR, the complainant and the main accused met through social media. The woman alleges that the accused sexually assaulted her for the first time on March 1, 2019, inside his car. Subsequently, under the false pretext of marriage, he maintained a physical relationship with her over an extended period.
The complaint further details that the accused extorted nearly Rs 19 lakh in cash and more than 160 grams of gold from her in a phased manner during this time. In a disturbing escalation, he allegedly seized her mobile phone and threatened to circulate her private photographs on social media if she did not comply with his demands.
When the woman insisted on marriage, the accused reportedly demanded Rs 3 crore, adding to the financial exploitation. The FIR also includes allegations of physical assault and continued intimidation, painting a grim picture of sustained abuse.
Legal Charges and Police Misconduct Claims
Police have registered the case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 376(2)(n) for rape, 417 for cheating, 384 for extortion, 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, 427 for mischief causing damage, 201 for causing disappearance of evidence, 504 for intentional insult, 506 for criminal intimidation, and 149 for unlawful assembly. Additionally, Section 66(E) of the IT Act, 2000, has been invoked for violation of privacy.
In her petition to the police commissioner, the complainant accused Shahapur police personnel of attempting to pressure her into settling the matter. She alleged that officials discouraged her from pursuing legal action and warned that she would not receive justice if she persisted, indicating potential misconduct at the police level.
Furthermore, she claimed that an individual approached her within the police station premises and offered Rs 3 lakh to settle the case, raising alarming concerns about alleged interference and unethical practices within the police force. This incident underscores the challenges victims face in seeking justice and the need for robust oversight mechanisms.
The case has drawn attention to issues of police accountability and victim support in Belagavi, with authorities now tasked with ensuring a thorough investigation and fair legal proceedings.
