Mumbai, September 25: The Byculla police on Monday, September 23, arrested a 17-year-old boy and his two friends for allegedly raping and blackmailing a 15-year-old girl. Police officials said that the minor girl was raped by the 17-year-old boy and his friends three months ago after the accused befriended her on Snapchat. They also said that the trio used the victim's nude images to blackmail her to remain silent.

The alleged rape incident came to light when the victim's mother observed that cash and valuables had gone missing from the house. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the 17-year-old boy befriended the minor girl on Snapchat earlier in May. After befriending the victim, the accused took the minor girl to his home and allegedly raped her there. Mumbai Shocker: Police Register Case Against 3 for Rape, Blackmail of 22-Year-Old Woman.

Minor Boy Befriended the Girl on Snapchat

During the preliminary investigation, cops also learned that the accused had sought nude images of the minor girl during their interactions. Later, he used the nude photos to blackmail her. Police officials said that the accused allegedly raped the minor girl twice after the first instance. After the third instance of rape, the minor boy shared the nude photos of the victim with his two friends, who were 19 and 22 years old, respectively.

Accused Threatened to Post Victim's Intimate Photos Online

The two also raped the minor girl. From May to July, the accused not only raped the minor girl but also threatened to post her intimate photos online if she narrated the incident to anyone. Cops also found that the Class 10 student had taken money and valuables from her home to pay off the accused, who was blackmailing her. Mumbai Shocker: 2 Boys Thrashed, Paraded Naked on Suspicion of Being Thieves in Juhu, 1 Arrested.

Accused Arrested After Victim Narrates Ordeal to Mother

It was only when the mother confronted her that the minor girl narrated her ordeal. A police officer said that all accused belong to well-to-do families. Meanwhile, the accused have been booked and arrested under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2024 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).