Gurugram, 21st July: In a distressing incident, a 24-year-old Bhojpuri artiste, hailing from Delhi, reported being sexually assaulted by a person she befriended on Instagram. The incident occurred at a hotel in Gurugram, where the victim had been lured under the pretext of an interview for potential work in the Bhojpuri film industry. The accused, identified as Mahesh Pandey, is said to have taken advantage of the situation, leading to the harrowing assault.
The victim, who enjoys a substantial following on Instagram, frequently sharing her videos, recounted the traumatic experience in her complaint to the police. She stated that she had recently connected with Mahesh Pandey through the social media platform, where he offered her opportunities in the Bhojpuri film world. On June 29, she was invited to a hotel in the Udyog Vihar area of Gurugram for an alleged interview.
According to her statement, upon arriving at the hotel, Mahesh Pandey had already booked a room where the interview was supposed to take place. However, the situation took a horrifying turn when he started consuming alcohol and, after posing a few questions, forced himself upon her, committing the heinous act of rape.
Feeling threatened and coerced, the victim narrated that Mahesh warned her against speaking out and even had some of his associates contact her to further intimidate her. These individuals threatened to disseminate her private videos online if she dared to report the incident.
Subsequent to the woman’s courageous complaint, the Udyog Vihar Police Station filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mahesh Pandey under sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The accused, residing in the Chakarpur area of Gurugram, is now the subject of a police manhunt.
“We are thoroughly investigating the allegations, and the accused will be apprehended soon,” assured ACP Crime, Varun Dahiya.
Authorities are taking the matter seriously and ensuring that justice is served for the victim. In light of this incident, it is essential to foster a safe environment for all individuals, particularly on social media platforms, and to raise awareness about the importance of consent and respect in all interactions.