A shocking case of sexual assault, blackmail, and extortion has emerged from Palanpur, Gujarat, where a married woman has accused two men of repeatedly raping her and extorting a massive sum of Rs 27 lakh from her over several months.
The Deceptive Trap Set on Instagram
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Balisana police station, the ordeal began when the accused first made contact with the victim through the social media platform Instagram. They gradually built a rapport and gained her trust. The complaint details that one of the men later forced her into a physical relationship and, in a premeditated act, secretly recorded the entire encounter on his mobile phone.
This illicit recording became the primary tool for blackmail. The police stated that the accused used the video to terrorize the woman, repeatedly threatening to make it public if she failed to meet their escalating demands for money.
A Web of Lies and Financial Extortion
The woman's complaint paints a grim picture of systematic exploitation. The duo allegedly extracted money from her under various false pretexts. They spun stories about needing funds for urgent medical treatment for a relative and made hollow promises that the amounts would be returned to her later.
The scheme grew more elaborate. The accused presented fabricated documents and claimed they could secure a massive bank loan of Rs 2 crore in her name, but only if she continued to pay them. When the victim, drained of her savings, asked for her money back, the threats turned even more sinister.
Escalating Threats and Continued Abuse
Faced with her demands for repayment, the accused allegedly threatened to assault her husband at his workplace. They also menaced that they would forcibly bring her daughter back from Canada. In a further attempt to paralyze her with fear, they threatened to falsely implicate her in cheque bounce cases, warning that she would be jailed without bail.
Tragically, the complaint adds that throughout this period of financial extortion, the men continued to force her into sexual relations, compounding her trauma.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Balisana police have taken serious note of the allegations and registered offences under the relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges invoked include rape, extortion, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.
An investigation is now actively underway. Police are meticulously verifying financial records, digital evidence, and the alleged video recordings mentioned in the FIR to build a solid case against the accused. The case highlights the dangers of online predators and the severe consequences of digital blackmail.
