Uttarakhand university student held for raping fellow; he also hid his faith, say cops

DEHRADUN: A 22-year-old student of a university in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district was arrested and sent to jail for allegedly repeatedly raping a 21-year-old student from the same varsity after befriending her with a false surname to hide his religion.

Inspector Kuldeep Singh of the local thana told TOI the case came to light after the woman filed a complaint with police on Wednesday, and the accused was held later in the day. As per cops, the accused hails from Bijnor, UP.

In her complaint, the girl alleged that the accused student befriended her around two years ago after initially introducing himself by another name, and raped her multiple times at his place on the pretext of marriage. He also recorded the act on his phone, she added.

The man later told her his real name and allegedly started blackmailing her with the objectionable video to extort money, she stated, adding that he also started "stalking her near the institution". She further stated, "When I was unable to bear the harassment and humiliation any more, I decided to lodge the complaint..."

Inspector Singh added: "A special team was formed, which then started collecting evidence, including the accused's online details. The student was then arrested from his accommodation in Pauri Garhwal district and produced before the local court on Wednesday, which sent him to jail."

An FIR has been registered against the 22-year-old student under BNS sections 64 (rape), 69 (sexual intercourse induced by deceitful means), 78 (stalking), 351 (3) (aggravated criminal intimidation), and 308 (2) (extortion), Singh said.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assaul)