Youth held for rape, sharing video that broke victim’s engagement

The police have arrested a 23-year-old youth from Delhi on the charge of raping an 18-year-old woman and sharing a video of the assault on social media, which led to her engagement getting broken. The victim was set to marry later this year.

According to the police, the accused, identified as Rahul, a resident of the Nathupura locality in Delhi, befriended the victim on Instagram in 2022. After gaining her trust, he allegedly took her to his home in Delhi, where he raped her and recorded videos and photos of the assault to use as blackmail.

When the victim informed Rahul that she was engaged to marry someone else, he reportedly sent the video and photos to her. Upon learning this, the victim confided in her family. It is alleged that Rahul then threatened to make the video and photos viral on social media, and also threatened to kidnap the victim and harm her family.

The victim’s father filed a complaint, stating that Rahul had hacked her Instagram account and uploaded the incriminating content, as well as sending it to her prospective groom. The police registered a case in July under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and arrested Rahul at his home on September 3 during a raid. Rahul has been placed in judicial custody following initial interrogation, and the investigation is ongoing, according to a police official.