Police in Raigarh arrested a man accused of raping a woman on the pretext of marriage and refusing to marry her after she became pregnant.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh for allegedly raping a woman after promising to marry her, and later refusing to accept her when she became pregnant. The accused has been sent to judicial custody following a court appearance.

Case Registered in Punjipathra

The case was registered at Punjipathra police station after the 22-year-old victim, a resident of Dharamjaigarh police station area, filed a written complaint on Thursday. Acting on her statement, police booked the accused and launched an investigation.

Contact Began on Instagram

According to the complaint, the victim came into contact with Sagar Sarathi, a 25-year-old resident of a village in Jashpur district, through Instagram in February 2025. During their conversations, Sagar reportedly introduced himself as unmarried and claimed to work at a plant located in Tarai Maal.

He allegedly kept assuring the woman that he would marry her and keep her as his wife.

Called to Tarai Maal in July

On July 23, 2025, Sagar allegedly called the victim and asked her to come to Tarai Maal. He reportedly took her to a labourers' quarter and established a physical relationship with her after promising to keep her as his wife. Following this, the accused allegedly continued to keep her at his quarters and exploit her, treating her as his wife.

Pregnancy Led to Refusal

In August 2025, when the woman became pregnant, the accused reportedly said he was unable to support a child and sent her back to her home in Dharamjaigarh. He continued visiting her afterward and spoke of marriage, but when she asked to be taken in permanently, he allegedly told her that his first wife was also pregnant and refused to marry her.

Threats to Victim

Sources said the accused pressured the woman to convince her family to arrange her marriage elsewhere. When she refused, he allegedly threatened to kill her.

Police Action and Arrest

Following the threat, the victim approached Punjipathra police station and filed a written complaint. A case was registered, and a female police officer recorded her statement before she underwent a medical examination. Police subsequently detained Sagar Sarathi from a labour colony near Singhal Power Plant in Tarai Maal.

During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted to being in a relationship with the woman and to her pregnancy. Based on the evidence gathered, police arrested him and produced him before the court, from where he was sent to judicial custody.

Local authorities said further investigation into the case is underway, and the medical and forensic findings will form part of the evidence presented during trial.