Belagavi gang-rape victim blackmailed; five, including two minors, held

BELAGAVI: Belagavi Police have nabbed five people, including two minors, in connection with the alleged gang-rape and blackmail of a minor girl in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, officials said on Sunday.

A case has been registered at APMC Police Station under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant sections, they said.

According to Belagavi Police, the main accused initially befriended the victim, lured her, and raped her with the assistance of another accomplice. “The assault was recorded and the video was subsequently used to threaten and blackmail the girl. Under pressure and fear, the victim was later gang-raped by three other accused at multiple locations,” Belagavi Commissioner of Police Bhushan Borse said.

“We have taken five of the accused in custody, and a search operation is ongoing to apprehend the sixth accused,” he added.