In a shocking incident that has rocked the Shamgarh town of Mandsaur district, two young men were taken into custody by police on Friday. The arrests followed allegations that the duo forced a 16-year-old girl to record an obscene video while threatening her with a knife. The accused later used the video to blackmail her family for a ransom of five lakh rupees.
The Harrowing Sequence of Events
According to the official police complaint, the traumatic episode began on November 6. The two accused, who are both residents of Rao Colony in Shamgarh, allegedly entered the girl's home when she was alone. One of the men is said to have held a knife to her, threatening her and coercing her into recording the explicit video. The footage was then transferred directly to his mobile phone.
Armed with the illicit recording, the perpetrators contacted the girl's family. They demanded a sum of Rs five lakh, warning that failure to pay would result in the video being made public. Fearful of social stigma and seeking to protect their daughter, the distressed family managed to arrange and pay Rs two lakh to the blackmailers.
Video Leak Triggers Public Outrage and Protests
The situation escalated dramatically on Thursday evening. After the family could not pay the remaining ransom amount, the accused carried out their threat and circulated the video on social media platforms. The viral spread of the video ignited immediate and intense public anger.
By late Thursday night, hundreds of outraged citizens had gathered outside the Shamgarh police station, demanding swift action and the immediate arrest of those responsible. The protests intensified throughout Friday. Local groups mobilized across the town, with large crowds staging demonstrations at multiple locations.
Protesters blocked the important Suwasra Road, where they sat reciting religious verses. Attempts to take out a procession led to heated exchanges with police personnel who were managing the volatile situation. Senior officers, including Sitamau SDOP Dinesh Prajapati and Garoth Additional SP Hemlata Kuril, rushed to the spot to pacify the crowd and appealed for calm.
Police Action and Administrative Measures
Facing immense public pressure, the police acted promptly. Additional SP Hemlata Kuril confirmed that both accused were arrested. The suspects were later taken to the police hospital in the evening. A formal case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Information Technology Act.
As a precautionary measure, authorities ordered a complete shutdown of the entire Shamgarh town and deployed additional police forces to maintain order. The local administration also initiated action against properties linked to the accused. The Nagar Parishad disconnected the water connections to these properties and began measurement work, signaling a possible demolition drive ahead.
The incident highlights the severe consequences of cybercrime and sexual exploitation, particularly when it targets minors. The use of the POCSO Act underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, given the victim's age. The community's forceful response and the subsequent administrative actions reflect the growing intolerance towards such heinous acts in the region.
