Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal

Bhopal, Apr 30: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the horrific rape and blackmail case involving several female students of a private college in Bhopal, who were lured under the false pretext of love and later victimised.

A three-member inquiry committee, led by retired IPS officer and former Jharkhand DGP Nammila Kaur, has been formed to investigate the matter. Other members include Jabalpur High Court advocate Nammila Nayak and NCW Under Secretary Aashutosh Pandey.

The team will visit Bhopal from May 3 to 5 to meet victims, their families, police officials, and others involved. The committee will assess the case proceedings and recommend measures to prevent such crimes in the future.

“The Commission is deeply concerned about the gravity of the matter and is committed to ensuring justice for the victims,” NCW Chairperson Vijaya Raharkar said, adding that the accused had filmed the assaults to blackmail the victims.

An FIR has been registered, and four accused — including Farhan Ali and Ali Khan — have been arrested on charges of rape and abetment. A fifth victim has now come forward and lodged a complaint with Baghsewania police, after her video was found on Farhan's mobile phone.

Over a dozen obscene videos involving seven victims have reportedly been recovered, and more survivors may come forward. Spot verification and evidence collection were conducted on Tuesday, while police continue to investigate the extent of the crime.