A 17-year-old girl in Gwalior has alleged that a youth she met through social media sexually exploited her by allegedly promising marriage and threatening her and her family. Police have registered a case under BNS, POCSO Act and SC/ST Act.

A case of alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl has been registered in Gwalior after a 17-year-old girl accused a youth of befriending her through social media and later allegedly exploiting her on the pretext of marriage.The case was registered at University Police Station after the girl approached police along with her family. Police have booked the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act and SC/ST Act.

Friendship started through social media

According to police, the minor girl, a resident of the Thatipur area of Gwalior, came in contact with the accused through social media around two years ago.The girl alleged that after their conversations increased, the accused gained her trust and called her to meet him at a hotel in the City Centre area.Police said the allegations are being investigated and further action will be taken based on evidence.

Allegation of threats and exploitation

In her complaint, the girl alleged that the accused threatened her and her family when she opposed him.She told police that she was allegedly taken to different places and hotels between October 2025 and September 2026, where she was subjected to exploitation.The victim later informed her family about the matter, following which they approached the police.

Case registered under POCSO Act

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of BNS, including provisions related to sexual offences and criminal intimidation, along with Sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act and provisions of the SC/ST Act.University Police Station in-charge Ravindra Jatav said that a case has been registered on the complaint of the minor girl and teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused.

Police searching for accused

Police teams are conducting searches at possible locations to locate the accused.Officials said further legal action will be taken after the accused is arrested and the investigation progresses.

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.

Mandsaur Honey Trap Case: Railway Staff Duped of ₹21 Lakh

Mandsaur honey trap case surfaces as railway employee allegedly blackmailed with videos, forced to pay over ₹21 lakh under threat of false rape charges.

A case of alleged honey trapping and extortion has come to light from Mandsaur district, where a railway employee was reportedly duped of over ₹21 lakh after being lured into a relationship through social media. Police said a complaint has been registered following allegations made by the victim’s wife, and an investigation is underway.

Social Media Contact

According to initial reports, the accused woman, identified as Pooja alias Siya Chauhan from Sitamau, allegedly targeted the victim after learning about his job in the railways. Officials said she initiated contact around April 25, 2025, through phone calls and social media platforms.

Over time, the interaction developed into what the victim believed was a personal relationship. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the contact was sustained and calculated, eventually leading to in-person meetings.

Drugging and Filming

The complaint alleges that the woman later called the victim to a house in the Ramtekri area of Mandsaur. During the meeting, she is accused of offering him a cold drink laced with a sedative substance, causing him to lose consciousness.

While he was in that condition, objectionable photos and videos were allegedly recorded without his consent. Investigators believe these recordings were later used as tools for blackmail.

Blackmail Begins

Once the victim regained consciousness, he was reportedly threatened with the release of the videos. The accused allegedly warned him of dire consequences, including being implicated in a false rape case.

Police officials said the victim, fearing social stigma and legal trouble, began transferring money to the accused over multiple transactions. “Initial findings suggest sustained financial coercion,” an officer said, requesting anonymity as the probe is ongoing.

₹21 Lakh Extortion

The victim, who resides in railway quarters in Daloda, is said to have transferred approximately ₹21.13 lakh into accounts linked to the accused. In addition to bank transfers, cash payments were also reportedly made.

According to the complaint, the financial strain was severe. The victim allegedly took loans and diverted a large portion of his salary to meet the demands. Family members later noticed irregularities in finances, which eventually led to the complaint being filed.

Threats and Pressure

The accused woman is also said to have claimed connections with influential individuals and police personnel, allegedly using this to intimidate the victim further. When he resisted making additional payments, she reportedly threatened to file a false rape complaint and have him dismissed from his job.

The victim has also alleged that the accused created disturbances near his residence and issued threats to his life when confronted.

Police Investigation Underway

Following the complaint, police at Sitamau police station registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to extortion, criminal intimidation, and other offences.

Station in-charge Kamlesh Prajapati confirmed that the matter is being treated seriously. “All aspects are being examined carefully. We are also looking into whether more individuals are involved,” he said.

Separate teams have reportedly been formed to trace the accused and verify financial transactions. Officials said the possibility of a larger honey trap network has not been ruled out at this stage.

Wider Concerns Raised

The case has once again highlighted the risks associated with online interactions and the growing number of honey trap-related complaints across parts of Madhya Pradesh. While police have urged caution, they also emphasised the importance of reporting such incidents promptly.

As the Mandsaur honey trap case unfolds, investigators are expected to scrutinise digital evidence, financial trails, and communication records to establish the full extent of the alleged crime.