FIR registered after woman alleges sexual assault; accused at large
A 28-year-old woman from Bhopal’s Awadhpuri locality has lodged a first information report (FIR) accusing a student she met on Instagram of raping her after developing a relationship, police said on Sunday. The accused is yet to be arrested and two police teams have been deployed to trace him, Station House Officer Suresh Meena said.
According to the FIR and initial police inquiries, the woman is a daily-wage labourer who first connected with the accused on Instagram in March. The online friendship, police said, developed into a romantic relationship over several months during which the accused allegedly had sexual relations with her by promising to marry her.
- Nature of complaint: Allegation of rape following an online acquaintance.
- Victim: 28-year-old woman, daily-wage labourer, resident of Awadhpuri area.
- Accused: A student who allegedly met the woman on Instagram; name not disclosed in the FIR.
- Police action: FIR registered; two teams searching for the accused.
When the accused reportedly refused to marry the woman a few days ago and blocked her number, she approached the police and lodged the FIR on Saturday. The complaint states that despite repeated attempts, the accused did not contact her after withdrawing his promise.
"Efforts are underway to trace him and he will be arrested soon," said Station House Officer Suresh Meena.
Police sources confirmed that the FIR has been recorded under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act will be considered where applicable. The station is conducting routine inquiries, including examination of digital communications and local CCTV footage, to establish the accused’s movements and corroborate the victim’s account.
| Timeline | Details |
|---|---|
| March | Victim and accused first connected on Instagram |
| Following months | Relationship developed; alleged sexual relations on promise of marriage |
| Few days ago | Accused allegedly refused to marry and blocked victim's number |
| Saturday | Victim lodged FIR at local police station |
Local activists and neighbourhood residents emphasise the wider concerns such cases raise about the vulnerability of women who meet contacts online. Legal experts note that while social media has enabled connections, it has also led to instances where personal promises are linked to criminal allegations when consent and coercion are in dispute.
As the police search continues, officers have appealed to anyone with information about the accused’s whereabouts to come forward. They also urged residents to assist with CCTV footage and mobile-location leads that could expedite tracing the suspect.
In recent years, Bhopal police have increased their focus on cyber-enabled crimes and cases involving online relationships; units at several stations now routinely collect digital evidence such as chat logs and call records in parallel with physical investigation steps. The investigation in this case will determine whether the matter proceeds to a chargesheet or whether additional legal provisions are invoked following forensic and medical examinations.
The police have not released the accused’s identity publicly as the search remains ongoing. The station said support measures for the complainant, including counselling and legal-aid information, have been offered in accordance with standard procedures for victims of sexual offences.
Further developments, including any arrest or charge-sheet filing, will be recorded by the local police station handling the FIR.
