Pune: Woman Forced into Sexual Relations by Instagram Friend, Threatened with Video Release
Shivajinagar, 24th April 2024: A shocking case of coercion and extortion has emerged in Pune, where a young woman was allegedly forced into sexual relations and threatened with the release of a compromising video. The distressing ordeal unfolded after the victim, introduced to the accused through Instagram, was lured to various hotels under false pretences.
According to police, the victim, a 34-year-old woman, filed a complaint with the Shivajinagar police station on Tuesday (April 23), detailing the harrowing experiences she endured between December 2023 and April 22, 2024. The accused, identified as Ketan Mahadev Chowghule (33) from Kagal, Kolhapur, and his associate Shekhar, subjected the victim to physical and psychological trauma.
Police Inspector (Crime) Anil Mane revealed that Ketan, unemployed at the time, befriended the victim on Instagram in December 2023. Subsequently, he manipulated her into meeting him at various hotels, where he allegedly coerced her into engaging in physical relations against her will.
In a particularly disturbing turn of events, Ketan reportedly forced the victim to engage in sexual activities with his friend Shekhar, clandestinely recording the act without her consent. Exploiting the compromising video, Ketan then proceeded to demand Rs 10 lakhs from the victim, threatening to publicly release the footage if she failed to comply with his demands.
Refusing to succumb to the extortion attempt, the courageous victim promptly lodged a complaint with the authorities, leading to the arrest of Ketan Chowghule. The police have charged Ketan and his accomplice under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 (rape), 376(d) (gang rape), 385 (extortion), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation), along with relevant sections of the IT Act.
