Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jul 18: A man from Madhya Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly posing as a 23-year-old unmarried man named "Sonu" on a messaging application to befriend a minor girl from Gujarat before coercing her into explicit video calls and blackmailing her, police said.
The accused, identified as Bittu Khan, a resident of Gwalior, allegedly contacted the girl from Ahmedabad Rural through the 'Achat' messaging application while concealing his identity. After gaining her trust, he shifted their conversations to WhatsApp and video calls.
According to the complaint, the girl downloaded the Achat application in March and came into contact with the accused. As their conversations progressed, he allegedly began pressuring her to participate in explicit video calls, meet him in person and enter into a physical relationship.
Police said that around 10 days ago, the accused allegedly demanded that the girl participate in an explicit video call. When she refused, he threatened to defame her by circulating her personal details on social media.
Investigators said the accused had also obtained access to the girl's Gmail and Instagram accounts after acquiring her passwords without consent. The complainant further suspected that he had shared her mobile number with others.
According to the FIR, the accused had allegedly been coercing the minor into undressing during video calls for the past two months. Police said he threatened to die by suicide if she refused to comply and warned that he would mention her name in a suicide note, leaving the girl under severe mental distress.
Fearing the consequences, the girl reportedly participated in two video calls, following which the accused allegedly used the recordings to blackmail her and continued to pressure her into a physical relationship.
The alleged deception came to light when one of the accused's acquaintances, identified as Yusuf, informed the girl that the man she knew as "Sonu" was actually Bittu Khan, a married resident of Gwalior with a daughter.
When confronted, the accused allegedly admitted his real identity and claimed he was in the process of divorcing his wife. Police said he also claimed that his Aadhaar card carried only the name "Bittu", allegedly to conceal his religious identity.
During the investigation, police found that the accused had been in contact with four other girls through the Achat application. Officials are examining whether any of them were similarly targeted or exploited.
Police alleged that the accused deliberately concealed his identity and used a false name to lure the minor before subjecting her to coercion and blackmail. Further investigation is underway.