In a shocking case from Karnataka's capital, Bengaluru police have arrested three men, including two college students, for the alleged gang-rape and blackmail of a 19-year-old student. The accused used an obscene video recorded without her consent to coerce her into repeated sexual acts.
The Accused and Their Arrest
The arrested individuals have been identified as G Vikas, 20, a student of Allied Health Sciences; N Prashant, 20, a Bachelor of Commerce student; and their friend Chetan J, 26. All three are residents of Magadi town. Following their arrest, they have been remanded to judicial custody at the Ramanagara district prison.
The arrests were made swiftly after the survivor, a student at a private college in Bengaluru, filed a formal complaint on Wednesday. Vikas and Prashant attend different private colleges on the outskirts of the city and commute daily from their homes in Magadi.
Modus Operandi: From Social Media to Blackmail
According to the police investigation, the ordeal began approximately six months ago when Vikas befriended the survivor on social media. As their relationship developed, he allegedly took her to Chetan's house in Magadi. The house was vacant at the time as Chetan's wife had gone to her parental home after childbirth.
During this period, Vikas is accused of establishing a physical relationship with the survivor. Crucially, he secretly recorded their private moments on his mobile phone. These videos were then allegedly shared with the other two accused, Prashant and Chetan.
The probe revealed that the trio then used these videos as a tool for blackmail. They threatened the survivor and coerced her into repeated sexual acts under the pressure of the videos being leaked.
Police Action and a Crucial Appeal
Unable to endure the relentless harassment any longer, the young woman approached the police. "We immediately arrested the accused. Their mobile phones have been sent to the forensic science laboratory to retrieve deleted videos," stated a police officer involved in the case.
A senior police officer took this opportunity to issue a strong appeal to other potential victims. "Silence only emboldens offenders. Reporting such crimes at the earliest helps prevent further abuse and ensures accountability," the officer emphasized, urging victims of sexual exploitation and blackmail to come forward without fear.
The case highlights the sinister use of technology in facilitating crimes and the severe emotional trauma inflicted upon survivors through such blackmail tactics.
