BENGALURU: A physics lecturer from a private college in Dakshina Kannada and two of his friends have been arrested by Bengaluru police for allegedly blackmailing and raping a student.
When the mental torture by the trio became intolerable, the girl narrated to her parents how she was being exploited. Subsequently, she went to Marathahalli police station along with her parents on July 5 and lodged a complaint seeking action against the perpetrators. Acting swiftly, the cops arrested the trio the following day.
The accused are Narendra, a physics lecturer, Sandeep, a biology lecturer — both working in the coastal district — and their friend Anoop, a private firm employee based in Bengaluru.
According to the police, prime accused Narendra came in contact with the girl while she was pursuing her second-year PU education. Narendra offered her academic support, including notes and study materials, and gradually established a rapport with her. He maintained regular communication with her via WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
After she completed PU a few years ago, she moved back to Bengaluru. During a visit to the city, Narendra invited her to Anoop's room in the city on some false pretence and allegedly assaulted her sexually. That marked the beginning of the exploitation, police sources said.
It is alleged that Sandeep, who was aware of the earlier incidents, began threatening her with the release of private photographs and videos, and subsequently sexually assaulted her as well. The third accused, Anoop, is alleged to have taken advantage of the situation by claiming he had installed CCTV cameras in the room and recorded footage of the girl with the other two men. Threatening to upload the videos on social media platforms, Anoop too allegedly assaulted her.
When the harassment by the trio didn't show any signs of ending, the girl confided in her parents, following which they approached the Karnataka State Commission for Women. The commission provided counselling and supported the family in lodging a formal police complaint.
Nagalakshmi Bai, chairperson of the commission, said: "She (the survivor) explained how she was being blackmailed and subjected to the offence. After hearing her out, we wrote to the jurisdictional deputy commissioner of police, seeking action.
Now, following the complaint, three men have been arrested. I request every girl subjected to blackmail or threats not to yield to pressure.
Share the matter with your parents or family members, then approach us. Your identity will be kept confidential and miscreants will face legal action. As the use of social media is increasing, cases of such blackmail and misuse of women are also on rise."
The three men have been remanded in judicial custody and packed off to Bengaluru Central Prison.