A 19-year-old woman in Raigarh has accused a man of establishing a relationship with her through Instagram, allegedly promising marriage and later refusing to marry her. Police have arrested the accused and sent him to judicial custody.

Police in Raigarh have arrested a 24-year-old man after a woman accused him of sexually exploiting her on the promise of marriage. The woman alleged that the accused befriended her through Instagram, developed a relationship and later refused to marry her.The case has been registered at Pusaur police station. According to police, the accused has been identified as Anil Kumar Sao, a resident of Bunga village.

Friendship started on Instagram

Police said that the 19-year-old complainant approached Pusaur police and submitted a written complaint.In her complaint, the woman alleged that she received an Instagram friend request from Anil in 2025. After accepting it, the two started communicating regularly.She alleged that during their conversations, Anil expressed his love and assured her that he would marry her and keep her as his wife.

Woman alleges exploitation on marriage promise

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly called her near Patelpali College on October 15, 2025, and later took her to a hotel, where she alleged that he established a physical relationship against her wishes.The woman further alleged that the accused continued the relationship at different places until May 2026 by assuring her of marriage.She claimed that whenever she asked about marriage, he would allegedly argue with her and avoid the issue.

Allegation of taking ₹45,000

The woman also alleged that the accused took ₹45,000 from her in the name of marriage preparations.She claimed that later he refused to marry her and allegedly threatened her when she asked for the money back.Following this, she informed her family and approached the police.

Police action and investigation

Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and began an investigation.The woman’s statement was recorded by a female police officer and her medical examination was conducted as part of the investigation process.Police later arrested the accused from his residence and produced him before the court. He has been sent to judicial custody.

In a deeply alarming and distressing chain of events, the city of Gwalior has been rocked by three separate cases of rape reported within a mere 12-hour window. The victims—a 23-year-old engineering student, a 16-year-old minor, and a 26-year-old widow—were all brutally violated by individuals they knew and trusted.

Taking swift note of the gravity of the situation, the Gwalior Police registered FIRs across different police stations and successfully arrested all three accused men within hours.

Case 1: Engineering Student Exploited by Classmate on Pretext of Marriage

The first incident came to light under the jurisdiction of the Jhansi Road Police Station. A 23-year-old engineering student filed a complaint against her classmate, identified as Aryan Rajput, accusing him of rape and physical harassment.

• The Incident: According to the victim, the duo became friends during college in 2023, which eventually developed into a romantic relationship. The accused allegedly took her to his house on the pretext of marriage and forced himself upon her. He continued to sexually exploit her over the months and resorted to physical assault whenever she protested. When she finally pressured him to marry her, the accused backtracked. Following her complaint, the Jhansi Road Police took Rajput into custody.

Case 2: Instagram Friendship Turns into Nightmare for 16-Year-Old Minor

The second case highlights the growing danger of social media-induced crimes, reported at the Thatipur Police Station. A 16-year-old school student from Panihar fell victim to an acquaintance she met online.

• The Incident: Around two months ago, the minor befriended Rahul Solanki (Jatav), a resident of Gautam Nagar, Thatipur, on Instagram. After interacting on the platform for weeks, Rahul called her to meet at the Panihar intersection in May. When the girl arrived, the accused lured her into his vehicle and brought her to his house in Thatipur, where he raped her against her will. Following the crime, Rahul began blackmailing the victim. Traumatized by the continuous threats, the minor finally confided in her family, leading to the accused's immediate arrest.

Case 3: Landlord’s Son Rapes Young Widow in an Empty House

The third shocking incident was reported from the Gaddha Wala Mohalla under the Girwai Police Station limits, where a 26-year-old widow was assaulted by her landlord's son.

• The Incident: The victim lives in a rented accommodation with her mother and brothers. On the afternoon of July 16, while her mother was out working as a daily wager and her brothers were playing outside, the landlord's son, Mohan Singh Kushwah, found the victim alone. He forcefully entered her room and assaulted her. Mid-incident, the victim's mother returned home, prompting the accused to flee the spot. The victim and her mother immediately approached the Girwai Police Station, resulting in Kushwah's prompt arrest.

Official Police Statement: "The Gwalior Police maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and children. As soon as these three separate incidents were brought to our attention, dedicated teams were deployed immediately. All three named accused have been arrested, and thorough investigations are underway to ensure stringent legal action."

The back-to-back incidents have sparked widespread outrage among local residents, reigniting critical concerns regarding women's safety and the vulnerabilities associated with social media interactions.

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.