Bolangir/Deogaon: Police Friday arrested four youths on charge of forcing two minor college students into a physical relationship and later releasing the video on mobile platforms in Deogaon block in Bolangir district. Police also seized six mobile phones, a SIM card and Rs 2, 000 from their possession.
The four accused were identified as Sahadev Behera (23), Lilamaya Guru (22), Anant Mahakur (26) and Sambhu Mahakur. Another accused is still at large, police said.
Police questioned the youths and are conducting a probe in a silent manner as the two victims are minors.
The accused sold the video clippings for Rs 300. Later, they began to blackmail the students and demanded Rs 50, 000 failing which they threatened to spread the obscene video in social media. Bolangir SP Asish Kumar Singh revealed the incident at a media meet at the district police station.
According to the case diary, the incident occurred July 25, 2016. A 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both studying in a local college, were sitting next to each other near the college. Meanwhile, five youths picked up the minors and took them forcibly to a nearby jungle. There they striped both of them and forced them into performing sexual act in their presence.
They assaulted them when they refused to perform the sexual act. Fearing for life, the minors performed the sexual act before the five youths who recorded the act in their mobile phones. Again the accused snatched away the girl’s gold chain, two mobile phones and Rs 500 from them.
Later, they demanded Rs 50, 000 from the girl. Left with no options, the victims gave Rs 20, 000. However, the accused again released the video clips to cell phones of various people in the area.
Chatters were abuzz after the video clip went viral in the area. The police, on receiving a complaint, picked up the four youths and questioned them. A case was registered and the four were produced in court. Further investigation is on. PNN