A 22-year-old college student from a village near Kolhapur city has been booked for allegedly raping a young woman, recording intimate videos and photos, and threatening her. The accused and the victim had known each other since 2023, according to a senior police officer.
Complaint and Arrest
The woman approached the police on Sunday night and filed a complaint, leading to the detention and arrest of the accused. He was presented before a court on Monday, which granted police custody until Wednesday.
Legal Provisions Invoked
Police have invoked sections related to rape and the IT Act for shooting obscene photos and videos, as well as sending messages with unwelcome advances. A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: 'We have received a complaint from one victim, and we suspect another young woman may have faced a similar ordeal. The accused's mobile phone has been sent for forensic analysis. They have known each other since 2023. Initial screening of the mobile indicates that no videos or photos have been circulated on social media; they may have been deleted. We are verifying the claims made by the victim.'
Village Bandh
Meanwhile, residents of the village have called for a bandh (strike), which is underway with shops and businesses closed.
The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy, as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.
