What’s happening to women in India? Every minute, reports of violence against women highlight the urgent need to address safety and justice in the country. In a shocking incident from Maharashtra’s Thane district, a 27-year-old woman suffered rape, blackmail, and brutal physical torture, allegedly at the hands of a 38-year-old man and his family.
How it all began
The accused, who lives in Ulhasnagar, became friends with the woman on Facebook in 2021. She trusted him and agreed to meet him, but he took her to a lodge where he allegedly raped her. He also recorded a video of her in a private moment without her consent and used it to threaten her. The woman said that he kept blackmailing her with the video, forcing her into an unwanted physical relationship multiple times.
Forced marriage and torture
The woman was forced to marry the man and move with him and his mother to Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. However, her situation became even worse after the marriage. She said the man and his mother physically abused her badly. They cut her hair and eyebrows, burnt her with cigarette butts, and hit her with a hot pan, causing serious injuries.
The woman was also kept locked inside the house and not allowed to contact anyone. They took her important documents, like her PAN and Aadhaar cards, and used them to take loans without her permission.
The family forced the woman to ask her father for money. They threatened to post her private videos online if she didn’t obey. Even after all the cruel treatment she endured, the woman gathered the courage to file a complaint against them.
Police action and investigation
The victim approached the Vitthalwadi police station, leading to an FIR being registered against the accused and five family members, including his mother. The police have booked them under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for crimes like repeated rape, assault, and extortion.
No arrests have been made so far, but the police have assured us that investigations are ongoing.
This horrific incident raises questions about the safety and security of women. Justice must be served to prevent more such tragedies and ensure safety for every woman.