Surat Man Arrested for Alleged Rape and Blackmail After Snapchat Encounter
In a disturbing case from Surat, a 40-year-old man has been arrested by Singanpor police for allegedly raping and blackmailing a 22-year-old woman whom he initially contacted through social media. The arrest was confirmed by police officials on Sunday, highlighting the dangers of online deception.
Fake Identity Used to Establish Contact
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused, who works as a construction site supervisor and resides in Surat, first came into contact with the victim in February 2024. He used the popular social media platform Snapchat to connect with her, operating under a completely fake identity to hide his true intentions and marital status.
After developing what appeared to be a genuine relationship over time, the man eventually revealed his real name to the woman. However, he continued the deception by falsely claiming to be unmarried. In reality, the accused is a married man with a four-year-old daughter, a fact he deliberately concealed from the victim.
Allegations of Rape and Coercion
The woman has alleged that the accused repeatedly promised to marry her, using this assurance to gain her trust. He then took her to various hotels across Surat, where he allegedly raped her on multiple occasions. During these hotel visits, the accused also reportedly took nude photographs of the victim without her consent, which later became a tool for blackmail.
When the woman began insisting on marriage as previously promised, the accused finally disclosed that he was already married. Instead of ending the relationship, he allegedly pressured her into an even more shocking arrangement. He suggested that she marry his younger brother, a 35-year-old diamond worker, so that they could continue their illicit relationship while all living together in the same household.
Escalating Threats and Forced Marriage
Police reports indicate that the accused allegedly threatened to circulate the woman's intimate photographs among her family members if she refused to comply with his demands. Under immense psychological pressure and fear of social stigma, the victim reluctantly agreed to marry the accused's younger brother.
After approximately six months of living with her new husband, the woman informed the accused that she wanted to end all contact and focus on building her married life. However, the harassment did not cease. The accused allegedly continued to threaten and intimidate her, ultimately forcing her to leave her matrimonial home and return to her parents' house for safety.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
As the harassment persisted even after she left, the woman finally gathered the courage to lodge a formal complaint with the Singanpor police. Based on her allegations, authorities promptly arrested the accused and produced him before a local court. The court granted police one-day custody for further interrogation and investigation.
A police officer involved in the case stated, "The accused's family was completely unaware of these matters until his arrest. We are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether he has victimized any other women using similar tactics."
This case serves as a stark reminder of how predators can exploit social media platforms to target vulnerable individuals, using emotional manipulation, false promises, and explicit blackmail to control their victims. The Surat police have emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice in this matter while warning the public about the risks of engaging with strangers online without proper verification.
