Chennai: Five men reportedly raped a minor girl, threatened her with the video for over a year and recently released the video of the crime on WhatsApp in Trichy. After the issue came to light, Trichy police arrested three men police and are on a search to find two other men who are absconding.
According to a report on Times of India, the minor was raped by her relative and four others a year ago. Later, using the video of the crime, the men reportedly took to threaten the girl and raped her multiple other times.
The issue came to light after the minor girl recently got "married" to her relative.
Based on a tip-off, the CWC and police rescued the girl and took her to a government home. However, after she was moved to the home. A video of the rape surfaced on WhatsApp. The viral video reached her father who immediately gave a complaint to CWC, Tirchy.
During the investigation, the police found out that the girl was taken to a secluded place in 2021. At the location, one of the accused Ranganathan forced the girl to consume liquor and then called four of his friends to the place. The five accused then sexually assaulted the girl. They also videographed the crime. Later, the five members used the video to blackmail the girl for over one year.
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Recently, the video was circulated on WhatsApp after a fight between Ranganathan and his friends.
Following this, the police registered a case and arrested three men. They are also on the lookout to arrest two other accused.
The officials also registered another case for child marriage under POCSO Act. They are also trying to find out the man who illegally 'married' the minor.
Further, investigations are on.