Nagpur Psychologist Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Students For Over 15 Years

This incident finally came to light after a former student decided to approach the police, after being blackmailed by the psychologist.

A psychologist was arrested for allegedly blackmailing and sexually exploiting at least 50 students for over 15 years.

According to the PTI, the psychologist operated a clinic and residential program in east Nagpur. He faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Hudkeshwar police station official said.

The accused would lure students, particularly girls, with promises of personal and professional development. He would organise the camps where he would sexually abuse them, take explicit photos and later use it to blackmail them. This incident finally came to light as a former student decided to approach the police, after being blackmailed by the psychologist.

According to The Times Of India, the psychologist is currently lodged in the Nagpur Central Prison. 

As per the report, he would consume liquor during the picnics before he assaulted the young girls. It is also suspected that he would give the victims some medicine. He would stay with students while on outstation trips. The accused counsellor held camps in different regions of Vidarbha, including Chandrapur, Bhandara, and Gondia.

He persuaded parents to enrol their children in his institution for grooming and personality development, promising to cultivate skills necessary to tackle academic, personal, and professional challenges, such as interpersonal development, work, and time management. He especially encouraged parents to send their daughters to his residential program, TOI reported. The accused would convince the parents for him to be the students's ‘local guardian' and would represent them at their schools and colleges.

His student-turned-wife and another woman friend have also been booked for assisting in enrolling girls in his institute and are absconding.

Several victims are married and may be hesitant to approach the police to file complaints, the Hudkeshwar police station official said, as per TOI. Police have formed a special committee to assist victims and ensure a thorough investigation.