Pithoragarh Man Arrested for Alleged Rape and Blackmail; Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody
In a disturbing incident from Pithoragarh, a 28-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping and blackmailing a 20-year-old woman. The accused has been remanded to 14 days' judicial custody, as confirmed by police officials on Tuesday.
Survivor's Complaint Leads to Swift Police Action
The case came to light following a formal complaint lodged by the survivor. She alleged that the accused raped her on April 4, 2025, while she was alone at her residence. According to her statement, the man recorded the act and subsequently used the video to blackmail her, causing significant mental harassment over an extended period.
The station in charge provided further details, stating, "The accused lived in the same neighbourhood and had been harassing the survivor mentally. He allegedly proposed marriage to her earlier, and after she rejected the proposal, he assaulted her. A video related to the incident was recovered from his mobile phone."
Legal Proceedings and Arrest Details
An FIR was promptly registered under sections 64, 377, 551, and 552 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with section 66 of the Information Technology Act. The accused was apprehended from his village and produced before a local court, which ordered the 14-day judicial custody.
This case highlights the severe consequences of such crimes, with authorities taking strict action under both traditional penal codes and modern cyber laws to address the dual nature of the offense involving physical assault and digital blackmail.
