A 24-year-old woman in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior has accused a man of sexually exploiting her for nearly a year after allegedly promising to marry her while concealing the fact that he was already married and the father of two children. The case came to light after the woman became pregnant and allegedly discovered the accused's marital status.

Based on the victim's complaint, Gola Ka Mandir Police have registered an FIR against the accused under relevant sections related to rape and criminal intimidation. Police said efforts are underway to trace the accused, identified as Ashish Gurjar.

According to investigators, the woman alleged that the accused introduced himself as an unmarried man and developed a romantic relationship with her before repeatedly establishing physical relations on the pretext of marriage. The alleged deception surfaced only after she insisted on marriage following her pregnancy.

Friendship Began at a Gym

According to police, the complainant, a resident of Thatipur in Gwalior, stated that she met Ashish Gurjar in March 2025 at a gym in the locality where both regularly worked out.

Their acquaintance gradually turned into a friendship and later a romantic relationship. The woman alleged that during this period, Ashish claimed he was unmarried and assured her that he intended to marry her. Trusting his assurances, she agreed to continue the relationship.

Allegedly Exploited on Promise of Marriage

In her complaint, the woman alleged that from December 2025 onwards, the accused repeatedly took her to different locations and established physical relations with her on the promise of marriage.

She claimed that Ashish would drive her in his SUV to Bhausaheb Society and also to a friend's apartment, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her after reassuring her that they would soon get married.

The victim alleged that every time she questioned him about marriage, he convinced her to continue the relationship by repeating the same promise.

Pregnancy Revealed the Alleged Deception

The woman told police that she became pregnant in April 2026 and subsequently asked the accused to fulfil his promise of marriage.

Instead of agreeing, she alleged, Ashish refused to marry her and began pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy.

Suspecting something was wrong, the woman contacted the accused's elder brother. It was then, according to her complaint, that she learned Ashish was already married and had two children.

The revelation, she alleged, left her shocked as she had been unaware of his marital status throughout their relationship.

Threats After Complaint

The complainant further alleged that after she confronted the accused and decided to approach the police, Ashish and his family members threatened and defamed her.

She claimed they warned her against filing a complaint and allegedly threatened to kill her if she pursued legal action.

Police have included the allegations of criminal intimidation in the FIR and said they are verifying all claims made by the complainant during the investigation.

Police Register Case, Search for Accused

Based on the woman's complaint, Gola Ka Mandir Police have registered a case against Ashish Gurjar under relevant provisions related to rape and criminal intimidation.

Investigating officers said the accused is currently absconding, and search operations are underway to locate him. Police added that further action will be taken based on evidence collected during the investigation.

Authorities have not released additional details, and the allegations made in the FIR are yet to be tested in court.

Datia Minor Rape Case: Accused Booked for Repeated Assault on 17-Year-Old

Datia (Madhya Pradesh): Police in Datia district have registered a case against a man accused of raping a 17-year-old girl twice, using morphed photographs and videos to blackmail her and issuing death threats to her family.

The incidents came to light late on Thursday night when the minor, accompanied by her parents, reached Basai police station and lodged a complaint. Police have booked the accused, identified as Veeru Ahirwar, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Teams have been formed to trace and arrest him.

First Assault in Fields

According to the complaint, the first incident occurred nearly two months ago. The girl was on her way to the fields in the afternoon when the accused allegedly approached her from behind on a secluded path. He overpowered her, dragged her into nearby bushes, and assaulted her. 

When she resisted, he allegedly slapped her and threatened to kill both her and her father. The accused also captured photographs and videos of the act on his mobile phone. Fearing social stigma and the threats, the teenager chose to remain silent at the time.

Second Incident on May 18

The nightmare continued on May 18. The girl alleged that Veeru Ahirwar stopped her again on a village path and, using the previously recorded photos and videos as leverage, threatened to make them viral if she did not comply. He then allegedly raped her for the second time.

Even after the second assault, the girl initially hesitated to speak out due to continuous threats from the accused. Sources familiar with the case said the family faced immense pressure and fear of reputational damage in the close-knit rural community.

Family Breaks Silence

The situation escalated when the accused reportedly continued issuing threats to the family, including dire warnings against the girl’s father. This persistent intimidation finally compelled the minor to confide in her parents. On Thursday evening, the family decided to approach the police.

“Initial reports indicate that the family had been living in fear for weeks,” a police officer said, requesting anonymity. The complaint was formally registered late Thursday night at Basai police station.

Police Action Underway

Datia police have taken the matter seriously given the minor’s age and the repeated nature of the crime. A senior officer confirmed that multiple teams are actively searching for Veeru Ahirwar. “We have registered the case and are investigating all angles. The accused will be arrested soon,” the officer added.

Forensic and medical examination of the victim has been initiated as per protocol in POCSO cases. Police are also examining the mobile phone records and any possible digital evidence related to the alleged blackmail material.

Impact on Local Community

The case has sent ripples of concern through the villages under Basai police station limits. Residents expressed shock over the repeated assaults and the use of digital blackmail, a growing concern in rural areas with increasing mobile phone penetration.

Women’s rights activists in the region have called for swift action and better safety measures for girls traveling on isolated paths, especially in agricultural areas. Such incidents often highlight the vulnerabilities faced by young girls in parts of Madhya Pradesh despite various government schemes for women’s safety.

Background and Similar Cases

Datia, located in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, has witnessed occasional reports of crimes against women, though officials maintain that the overall law and order situation remains under control. The district administration has in the past run awareness campaigns regarding POCSO and cyber blackmail.

This case once again brings into focus the challenges of timely reporting in sexual assault cases involving minors, where fear of social ostracization often delays justice.

Police have appealed to the public to provide any information regarding the whereabouts of the accused. They have assured complete protection to the victim and her family.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to update on further developments in the coming days. The minor is currently being provided necessary counselling and support through district authorities.

A 26-year-old woman in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district has accused a man of repeatedly sexually assaulting her on the pretext of marriage, leading to his arrest in the latest Raigarh rape case reported from the region. Police said the accused allegedly established physical relations with the woman for nearly one-and-a-half years after promising to marry her, but later refused when she became pregnant.

The case was registered at Tamnar police station after the survivor approached police earlier this week and detailed the allegations against the accused, identified as Prithviraj Chauhan, a resident of Saraidipa village in Raigarh district.

Relationship Turned Criminal

According to officials, the woman told police that she came in contact with Chauhan around two-and-a-half years ago. The two gradually developed a personal relationship, which later turned into an intimate one.

During the course of their relationship, the accused allegedly assured the woman that he would marry her and, on that basis, initiated physical relations with her. The woman alleged that Chauhan continued to sexually exploit her for nearly 18 months while repeatedly reinforcing the promise of marriage.

Police said the survivor stated in her complaint that she consented to the relationship because she believed the accused intended to marry her.

Pregnancy Triggered Dispute

The matter escalated when the woman informed Chauhan that she had become pregnant and asked him to formalise the relationship through marriage. According to the complaint, the accused initially avoided the conversation and continued to delay any decision.

As per police records, Chauhan later refused to marry her altogether. The woman then informed her family about the incident and approached police on their advice.

Investigators said the complaint was registered after preliminary verification, following which a case was filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rape and deception.

Police Action Taken

Tamnar police moved swiftly after the complaint was filed and conducted a raid at the accused’s residence. Chauhan was taken into custody and formally arrested.

Police produced the accused before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody. He has since been sent to jail, officials said.

Investigators indicated that further inquiry is underway and statements of those connected to the case are being recorded as part of the ongoing probe.

Officials Issue Warning

Raigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said crimes involving women would be dealt with firmly and without delay. According to officials, the district police have been instructed to ensure swift and sensitive handling of such complaints.

He said offences involving sexual exploitation and false promises of marriage are treated as serious crimes and strict legal action would follow in every such case supported by evidence.

Officials also urged women facing similar abuse to report such incidents without hesitation.

Legal And Social Impact

The Raigarh rape case has again drawn attention to cases involving alleged sexual exploitation under the promise of marriage, an issue that continues to surface in crime reports across states. Legal experts have repeatedly underlined that consent obtained through deception can attract criminal liability if investigators establish fraudulent intent from the outset.

Such cases also raise concerns around delayed reporting, social stigma and the pressure survivors face before approaching law enforcement. Police officials said timely reporting remains critical for evidence collection and prosecution.

Investigation Continues

Police said the investigation remains active and further legal action will depend on medical evidence, witness statements and case documentation. Authorities are expected to file a detailed case diary before the court in the coming days.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the acquittal of a man accused of rape and cheating, ruling that no offence of deception is made out when a woman knowingly enters into a relationship with a married man. In a significant ruling, the court observed that if a woman is aware that her partner is already married, she cannot later allege that physical relations were established on the false promise of marriage.

Justice Sanjay S. Agrawal passed the order while dismissing the woman’s appeal against a lower court judgment that had acquitted the accused, Mahesh Ganjir. The Chhattisgarh High Court said the essential element of fraud was absent in the case, as the complainant was fully aware of the man’s marital status.

What The Case Was

The case arose from a complaint filed by a woman from Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh, who claimed that she had married Mahesh Ganjir on May 8, 2008. She told the court that a written marriage agreement was also executed on January 21, 2009, and that the two lived together as husband and wife after that.

The woman alleged that the accused had physical relations with her during the course of the relationship and later expelled her from his house after she refused to give him more money. She also claimed to have spent Rs 85,000 on travel and related expenses during their time together.

Based on these claims, she accused Ganjir of rape and cheating and challenged the trial court’s acquittal before the High Court.

Contradictions In Record

The Chhattisgarh High Court noted several contradictions in the woman’s claims and found material inconsistencies in her earlier statements. According to court records, her earlier legal notices and police complaint did not mention a fixed marriage date. Instead, they stated that the accused had physical relations with her between May and September 2008 on the assurance of marriage.

The court also relied on another notice issued by the complainant, which indicated that she was fully aware that Mahesh Ganjir was already married. Records showed that she even knew the name of his first wife.

This, the court said, weakened her claim that she had been deceived into believing she was entering a legally valid marriage.

Court’s Legal Reasoning

While examining the matter, the Chhattisgarh High Court referred to Section 493 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage.

The court said the core requirement under the provision is deception. It held that where both parties are aware that no valid legal marriage exists, the question of fraud does not arise.

Justice Agrawal noted that the accused’s first wife was alive at the time of the alleged marriage, making any subsequent marriage legally void under Sections 5 and 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act. Since the complainant knew this fact, the court held that she could not later claim she had been misled into believing she was the accused’s legally wedded wife.

Woman Argued Case

The woman argued her own case before the High Court after challenging the trial court verdict. After hearing her submissions and reviewing the trial record, the court found no legal ground to interfere with the acquittal.

The High Court then dismissed the appeal and affirmed the lower court’s order in favour of the accused.

Legal Significance Explained

The ruling is significant in cases involving allegations of rape on the promise of marriage, especially where prior knowledge of an existing marriage is established. Legal experts say the judgment reinforces the principle that consent obtained in a relationship cannot automatically be treated as consent obtained by fraud unless clear deception is proved.

The Chhattisgarh High Court ruling is likely to be cited in similar cases involving disputes over consent, marital status and allegations of inducement, according to officials tracking recent India News Update and Government Updates in criminal law.

Durg Man Booked for Alleged Rape on Pretext of Marriage

Accused befriended victim on Instagram before repeatedly assaulting her under false promises in Durg and Ujjain

The Mohan Nagar Police have registered a case of rape against a local youth for allegedly exploiting a woman under the false pretext of marriage. The accused, identified as Saurabh Rajput, reportedly befriended the victim via Instagram and established physical relations multiple times before absconding when pressured to formalize the union.

The victim, a resident of Bhanupratappur, approached the authorities after the accused refused to fulfill his commitment. According to the complaint, the two had been in contact since 2025, during which the accused consistently reassured her of a future together to gain her trust.

Social media friendship turns sour

The ordeal began when the victim traveled to Durg on March 5, 2026, to meet Rajput. Sources indicated that the accused took her to his elder brother’s residence in Sikola Bhata. It was here that he allegedly forced himself upon her for the first time.

Despite the victim’s initial protests, Rajput silenced her by reiterating his intent to marry her. This incident set a pattern of exploitation that continued over the following months across different locations.

Assaults reported during Ujjain trip

In late March, the accused took the woman on a trip to Ujjain, ostensibly for sightseeing. However, police reports suggest that Rajput continued to sexually assault the victim throughout the duration of the trip under the same guise of an impending marriage.

Upon their return, the victim remained in Durg for several days. The accused allegedly kept her in close proximity, ensuring she did not return home immediately while maintaining the facade of a committed relationship.

Final incident at Sambalpur village

The situation escalated on April 11, 2026, when Rajput took the victim to his maternal grandmother’s house in Sambalpur village. He reportedly spent the night there with her, during which the assault was repeated.

The following day, the accused dropped the woman back at her native village. This marked the final physical encounter before the victim’s family intervened to discuss the marriage timelines with Rajput.

Accused flees after marriage pressure

When the victim’s family pressured Rajput to fix a date for the wedding, he initially attempted to delay the matter. He reportedly requested a two-year waiting period, citing personal reasons.

However, shortly after this discussion, the accused went into hiding and switched off his mobile phone. He later communicated his refusal to marry the woman, prompting the victim to seek legal recourse against the betrayal.

Police register formal FIR

Based on the woman’s detailed statement, the Mohan Nagar Police Station has officially booked Saurabh Rajput under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to rape and criminal intimidation.

"We have recorded the victim's statement and a medical examination has been conducted. Teams are currently working to track the location of the accused, who remains at large," a senior police official stated regarding the latest news today.

Rising concerns over digital safety

This case highlights a disturbing trend in trending news India regarding the misuse of social media platforms to lure and exploit unsuspecting individuals. Experts suggest that such incidents emphasize the need for heightened vigilance while interacting with strangers online.

As the investigation continues, the local administration is expected to provide further government updates on safety protocols. This public interest story serves as a grim reminder of the legal consequences of obtaining consent through "deceitful means" under current Indian law.